3 Back to School Mental Health Tips for Families
It’s Back to School season! And while many families look forward to this transition time, for others, it can be a time of stress. If you’re worried about navigating this season, we’re here for you.
With that in mind, here are 3 mental health tips for the Back to School season!
Let’s jump right in!
Be patient with your family.
The back to school season brings with it new relationships, new expectations, new experiences - and new schedules. It can be incredibly difficult to deal with all of these changes, seemingly all at once. During this time, try to be patient with your family.
By the way, if your family has young children, here are three free preschool mental health activities.
Pay attention to signs of stress and anxiety.
Transition periods can spark stress and anxiety, not only for you, but also for your little ones. Pay attention to common signs of stress and anxiety. This could look like:
Verbal expressions of fear or worry about going to school.
A change in emotions or behaviors.
Shifts in your own levels of worry as a parent or caregiver.
Anxiety looks different in every body; that said, commonalities exist. Here are common signs of anxiety in children of every age.
During this time, some children may experience separation anxiety about going back to school. If that’s something your family is dealing with, here are a few tips that may help.
Take concerns seriously.
Arguably, the best way we can support child and family mental health is through early identification and intervention. When you have worries, it matters to take them seriously.
Data shows that early intervention leads to better health and outcomes over the course of a child’s life.
However, caregivers, pediatricians, and teachers don’t always have the tools to identify what behaviors are “normal” versus “clinically-significant.” We know children under 12 suffer from mental health disorders at the same rate as older children - but it looks different.
That’s why, if you have worries, it’s important to trust your gut and speak with your pediatrician and/or a child mental health expert.
Little Otter is here to help support your whole family’s mental wellness during the Back to School season!
Our digital mental health platform for children and families offers an entirely virtual, parent-centric care approach to therapy, care, and coaching. We’re currently working with children 0-14 and their families in select states. Get started today!
