As the heat of the summer reaches its peak, and (hopefully soon) gives way to the cooler autumn breezes, it’s time for children and youth to return to school. This transition — filled with excitement, anticipation, and some natural apprehension — is an annual ritual for millions of students across our nation. As we prepare for the new academic year, it's crucial to remember that school readiness isn't just about having the right supplies, it's also about mental health.
As elementary school counselors we are committed to promoting mental health and wellness for our students. We want to share some resources and tools to foster a mentally healthy and XXXXXX return to school.
Mental Health Matters
Often unseen and untreated, child and adolescent mental health challenges can significantly impact the ability to learn and develop. One in five children has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, yet many of them do not receive the help they need. Research tells us that there is a robust link between students’ mental health and their academic success. Therefore, awareness of mental health and potential for substance misuse should be a core part of every family's back-to-school preparation.
Promoting a Healthy Transition
The return to school can be a stressful time, whether it's a child’s first day of kindergarten, a transition to middle or high school, or just the end of the freedoms of summer. It's normal for children to feel anxious about these changes. Here’s how you can help ease their worries:
- Communicate: Encourage your child to express their feelings about going back to school. Acknowledge their fears, make them feel understood, and reassure them that it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about these changes.
- Create Routines: A consistent routine fosters a sense of security in children. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, eating healthy meals, and setting aside time for homework and relaxation can help children adjust to the rhythm of the school year.
- Make Advance Preparations: If possible, attend any scheduled school orientations. Meeting teachers, locating classrooms, and becoming familiar with the school layout can help students feel more confident on the first day of school. And if there is not a scheduled orientation, make time to visit the school ahead of time to help children familiarize themselves with the environment. It can also be helpful to practice morning routines like getting ready for the bus or identifying routes to school.
- Encourage In-person Social Interactions: Facilitate interaction with classmates to rekindle old friendships and make new ones. This may be one of the first years of schooling for many children without the COVID-19 pandemic interrupting normal social interactions. Social relationships can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable
Resources from SAMHSA:
The Department of Health and Human Services offers a wealth of resources for parents, teachers, and students alike:
- Parenting and Caregiver and Youth Mental Health Resources — a collection of resources on parenting and addressing mental health needs of young people.
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Concerns: Signs and Symptoms — a comprehensive guide for symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders in children and youth.
- Back to School Resources for Success — a collection of resources for children, parents, and educators on ensuring a safe return to school by caring for both body and mind.
- "Talk. They Hear You."® Campaign — a national youth substance use prevention campaign that helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members.
- Early Childhood Mental Health Programs — as a part of its mission to reduce the impact of substance use and mental illness on our communities, SAMHSA funds programs that promote and support the health and wellness of young children and their families.
- StopBullying.Gov — parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.
- SchoolSafety.Gov — provides schools and districts with actionable recommendations to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can thrive and grow.
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a confidential, free, 24/7, 365-day-a-year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- FindSupport.gov — a user-friendly website, designed for the general public, to help people identify available resources, explore unbiased information about various treatment options, and learn how to reach out to get the support they need for issues related to mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — If you or someone you know needs support now, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Simply call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Written by Sunny Patel, M.D., M.P.H., Center for Mental Health Services
Article adapted from Sunny Patel, M.D., M.P.H., Center for Mental Health Services
