Back-to-School: Taking Care of Mental Health Too
While back-to-school season is exciting, it can also be stressful! New teachers, new classmates, busier schedules; there’s a lot happening all at once. If you, your students, and/or your child are feeling the pressure, you’re definitely not alone.
Why It Feels Like a Lot (The Ness Center, n.d.)
Mornings suddenly get earlier and faster
Homework and tests start piling up.
Friendships change and social stuff can feel tricky.
Parents are juggling school schedules, activities, and everything else.
That’s a lot of change in a short amount of time. No wonder emotions run high.
A Few Ways to Make Things Easier
Talk it out. Helping manage back-to-school stress starts with communication, being open and honest about your worries around the new school year starting (Miller, 2024).
Create and stick to routines (Patel, 2023). Making a schedule for regular sleep, eating healthy meals, in addition to selecting times for both homework and play, kids can have an easier transition into the new school year schedule.
Parents and teachers, show your coping skills. If you take a breath, go for a walk, or pause when you’re stressed; other people (particularly students) will notice, and they will learn from it (Child Mind Institute, 2024).
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Every student, parent, family, and professional feels the back-to-school stress in some way. If things are starting to feel overwhelming, talking with a therapist can really help (The Ness Center, n.d.). At Cardinal Hope Mental Health Counseling Services, we support older teens (18+), young adults, parents, and teachers, through back to school season; as well as other transitional periods in their lives. A little support in getting you started off on the right foot this school year can go a long way.
References
Patel, S. (2023, August 17). Back to school and mental health: Supporting our children for a successful year ahead. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/back-to-school-and-mental-health-supporting-children
Miller, C. (2024, November 20). Back-to-School Anxiety. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/back-school-anxiety/
The Ness Center (n.d.). Back to school stress: Understanding and coping with the pressure.
https://thenesscenter.com/back-to-school-stress-understanding-and-coping-with-the-pressure/