School Mental Health

Seven Ways to Boost Mental Health During Back to School Season

Oftentimes mental health challenges increase during back to school time or testing season. Below are some ways you can help children and teens adjust to new schedules and routines. Check out these blog posts for school stress-busting tips or testing anxiety suggestions.

Know and Share Resources

Listen to your children and teens’ concerns and fears. Help them problem-solve. Be patient as they work through loss of the way things were. Some youth find it helpful to practice “walking” their new class schedule, especially if they’re on a new, larger campus. However, be mindful if your child continues to experience extreme anxiety or unusual behavior such as withdrawing from activities he or she previously enjoyed.

Remember, Peace River Center’s Crisis Line is free and available 24-hours a day for emotional support and mental health help, 863.519.3744863.519.3744. Share this resource with your children’s teachers and school administrator. Oftentimes our Mobile Crisis Response Team counselors can help to deescalate behavioral health situations or can come to campus to assess a mental health challenge.

Model Good Behavior

Anxiety disorders can run in families; mental illness can be genetic. According to Child Mind Institute, genetics as well as environment matter. “Kids are like sponges, absorbing the energy and adopting the behaviors around them.” Do your best to model calm, confident behavior, especially while getting a child prepared for school. “A child usually starts school no calmer than her least-relaxed parent.” If you need help managing your stress and anxiety, you can also use the Crisis Line for support.

Routines Matter

Another key way parents or guardians can set their children up for success is to maintain routines. Children thrive with consistency. Try to keep your evening, morning and meal times as close as you can to the same times each day. A visual chart with morning tasks such as breakfast, brush teeth, socks and shoes might help.

Set a Homework Schedule

Along the same lines of routines, children can benefit from parental involvement during homework time. Set aside time for a structured “homework session” each evening. The Child Mind Institute notes a good routine may include:

Create space on a desk or table to work;
Help your children clean out their backpacks;
Review the day’s assignments; and
Discuss the homework as well as any questions about it.

In addition to encouraging good study habits, this also enables you to observe your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses. Be mindful of being patient, positive and encouraging.

group of smiling children on monkey bars

Building Meaningful Relationships

Developing peer relationships is an important part of building positive mental health. Have a family discussion about what kind of friendships, groups, sports teams, etc., are important your children. Find ways to support the child in developing these positive relationships. Volunteering is often a great way for children to meet others and feel a sense of accomplishment at giving back.

Teachers Are Allies

Teachers get to know a child’s family through the child’s eyes. They get to know how children behave without their parent present. Your child’s teacher can help identify learning challenges and peer problems as well as academic achievements and close friendships. Teachers are allies, and you should talk to them regularly. According to Child Mind Institute good questions to ask include: How is my child doing? Do you have any concerns about his social or academic skills? Do you think he needs my help with anything?

Special Considerations for Teens

It’s important to remember kids’ brains are changing dramatically, particularly as they enter their teens. The teen brain starts “pruning”—strengthening some synapses and eliminating many others. A temporary imbalance of this pruning in certain areas of the brain has been linked to teens’ erratic and risky behaviors, as well as the onset of anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use. (Worried about your teens’ risky behavior, we have an on-demand webinar to help.) Though teenagers may start to look like adults, and think they are adults, many do not have the skills to manage stress.

Develop a Plan Moving Forward

Parent involvement and open communication are critical throughout the year, but especially as a child or teen experiences significant change. Set aside uninterrupted time each day to talk to your child about challenges and new experiences at school.

Adapted from Mayo Clinic and Child Mind Institute resources.

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