School, Stress and Your Child’s Mental Health

Balancing Schoolwork and Extracurriculars Can Be Overwhelming

As summer vacation comes to an end, it can be difficult for your child to make the transition back to their daily school routine. Academic demands often mean a return to the stress of balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars and relationships. Challenges like these can become overwhelming and may even lead to depression and anxiety in children and teens.

Unfortunately, these conditions are all too common in this age. From 2016-2019, of those children and teens ages 3-17, nearly 6 million were diagnosed with anxiety and about 2.7 million were diagnosed with depression.

Symptoms to watch out for can include:

• Panic attacks
• Hyperactivity
• Restlessness/insomnia
• Excessive mood swings
• Extreme worry or sadness
• Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
• Irritability or “acting out” behaviors
• Poor academic performance or avoiding schoolwork

While some of these behaviors may be common in youth as they transition back to school, if they continue or become extreme, it’s time to intervene and seek professional help.

It’s also important for your child to know you are there for them and ready to support any complicated feelings they may be experiencing. Doing the following may help:

Be Open About Feelings

Talk to your kids about how they feel and about their struggles. Discuss what you can do to alleviate anxiety, for example, practicing relaxation techniques.

Make a Plan

Outline changes in your schedules and how you plan to manage them. Knowing what to expect can help kids who struggle with staying organized or who easily get overwhelmed.

Make Good Health a Priority

Physical health can have a big impact on mental health. Getting enough sleep and eating healthy, balanced meals help kids prepare for the day.

Seek Professional Help When Needed

If you or your teen become overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.