by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
Going back to school is exciting, but it can also stir up feelings of stress and anxiety for kids and parents alike.
“During school season, kids are being challenged every single day academically, socially, and behaviorally,” explains Yamira Bordas, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Central Florida Health Care.
Beyond just the normal back-to-school jitters, many students struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges during this time of year.
“The most common mental health issue in kids going back to school is anxiety,” says Bordas. “There are a lot of thoughts, worries, and fears in their minds, and if they don’t get to process those thoughts, they create negative emotions and physical symptoms associated with anxiety.”
Anxiety is especially prevalent in those diagnosed with disorders like ADHD and autism, but it can happen to any student. A major cause of this anxiety is worrying about what the coming school year will bring.
What will the teacher be like? What will the classmates be like? Will they make new friends? These questions can run through many students’ heads, as does the worry about getting out of the comfort zone that is their home.
“Home is comfort,” Bordas says. “Getting out of the house and staying at school for six to seven hours requires an adjustment and acclimation period.”
Because of this, it’s important for parents to be on the lookout for early warning signs, such as changes in behavior. For example, a normally outgoing and cheerful child could become guarded and withdrawn.
Bordas recommends checking in regularly with your children to recognize any signs early.
“Parents should always be asking questions: ‘How was your day? Did you make any new friends? Did you eat lunch today?’ ” she explains. “Try to get a sense of how your child’s day at school went.”
Communication with teachers is also key, both to keep an eye on academic performance (failing could indicate an underlying mental health issue), and to know if children are having any behavioral issues in the classroom.
Physical Activity & Sleep
For concerned parents, there are many ways to help support their children. One of the biggest is pushing them to be physically active.
“Doing physical activity, like sports, helps regulate the nervous system and works similarly to a detox from whatever negative emotions you’ve gone through that day,” Bordas explains.
This can be something like school sports or simply taking them to the park to run around. And especially for older kids, taking up a hobby or extracurricular activity can also support good mental health.
“All kids like something, whether that’s a musical instrument or a sport they’ve played since they were little, and it’s a great way to get them out of the house,” Bordas says.
Helping encourage healthy sleep patterns is also important for mental health. That means reducing sugar intake in the evening, maintaining a regular bedtime, and reducing screen time before bed.
Professional Help
It’s important to remember that sometimes, kids may need more than just parental support.
“When the student becomes dysfunctional, meaning they’re failing at school, not sleeping, not communicating or turning every conversation into a fight or argument, you should consider professional help,” Bordas advises.
In these situations, it’s recommended to seek help from a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Many school districts offer mental health support through an in-house psychologist or mental health counselor, or through referrals to outside specialists.
No parent likes to see their child struggling with anxiety or any other mental health issues, but the reality is that this is a common occurrence. What’s important is supporting your child through it.
“The most important thing for children is having good communication at home and creating a safe space for the child,” Bordas explains. “We have to discipline them, teach them, tell them, guide them, direct them. But we also have to make sure they know they can come and talk to us about whatever is going on in their minds.”