The start of a school year causes a mix of emotions for both children and their families. A child could be looking forward to seeing friends, returning to familiar routines, or starting a fresh chapter, while also feeling nervous about what lies ahead. Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re dealing with worries that they can’t quite verbalize. Changes that seem small to adults, like adjusting to classroom expectations, navigating social situations, or spending more time away from comforting surroundings, can feel a lot bigger for a child who is already experiencing anxiety.
Western Youth Services has seen firsthand how these challenges can affect a child’s everyday life. Sofia was referred for therapy after struggling with being back in the classroom. Almost every day, she would leave class in tears and ask to go home. Through therapy, she began to understand the feelings triggering those moments, including fears tied to social anxiety and the classroom environment. With support from a mental health professional at Western Youth Services, Sofia practiced self-calming techniques and learned strategies to work through those anxious thoughts. With time, practice, and continued support, she no longer asked to leave class, built positive friendships, and even started to feel excited about going to school.
Every child’s experience will look and feel different, but Sofia’s story shows a situation that many families face during the back-to-school season. The transition from summer back into an academic routine can bring out back-to-school anxiety, which may appear through changes in behavior, emotions, and even physical symptoms. It isn’t always easy for parents and caregivers to immediately know whether their child is just feeling typical first-day nerves or signs that they may need extra help. Having access to mental health education helps families become more familiar with the signs of anxiety, how to start conversations with their children, and have a deeper understanding of when it’s time to seek out additional resources.
Why Returning to School Can Feel Overwhelming
Going back to school can bring a lot of emotions and adjustments for children. Along with changes to their routine, they may be figuring out classroom expectations, reconnecting with classmates, managing schoolwork, and spending more time away from the people and places where they feel most comfortable. These changes happening all at once can be overwhelming for some students and they might not have the words to explain exactly what they’re dealing with. Instead, anxiety may appear through changes in behavior, emotions, or physical complaints.
Youth mental health challenges are far more common than many families realize. During a presentation on the youth mental health crisis in Orange County, Dr. Heather Huszti shared that approximately 150,000 children and youth in Orange County are struggling with a mental health issue. She noted that only about one-third receive treatment, leaving many without access to the care and resources they need.
Some common identifiers that a child is experiencing increased stress or anxiety include:
- Frequent stomachaches or headaches without a known medical reason
- Increased irritability, frustration, or emotional outbursts
- Trouble sleeping, especially before school days
- Ongoing worries about school, friendships, teachers, or academic performance
- Asking to stay home from school or leave early
- Distancing themselves from friends or activities they normally enjoy
- Difficulty focusing or completing schoolwork
These behaviors don’t mean that a child is just being difficult or unmotivated. They’re a child’s way of showing that something feels challenging and they may need help developing coping strategies.
How Parents Can Help During the Back-to-School Transition
When a child is struggling with anxiety, many parents or caregivers’ immediate reaction is to figure out how to stop the uncomfortable feelings. The intention might be coming from a place of care, but it’s important to know that children build both confidence and resilience when they learn they can work through tough things with encouragement and the right tools.
Small steps that can be easily implemented at home to help children feel more prepared for the school year include:
- Practice school routines before the first day, including consistent sleep and morning schedules.
- Create opportunities for conversations by asking open-ended questions about how your child is feeling.
- Acknowledge your child’s worries while reminding them they’re capable of handling challenges.
- Celebrate all progress, even when it seems small. Getting through the first morning, attending class, or trying something new are all good examples.
- Stay connected with teachers and school staff if concerns continue so everyone can work together.
Providing children with age-appropriate mental health education can also help them gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and recognize healthy ways to respond when they feel overwhelmed. For additional guidance, SAMHSA offers tips for parents and caregivers on supporting children’s mental health during the back-to-school transition. Recognizing when a child could benefit from external help is a huge factor of supporting their emotional health. If anxiety continues or begins to negatively affect daily activities, reaching out for professional care can give families access to additional tools.
When Professional Mental Health Support Can Make a Difference
Early support helps children develop coping strategies before anxiety starts to interfere with school, relationships, or daily activities. At Western Youth Services, clinicians work with children, teens, and families to help them better understand their emotions, develop coping skills, and work through challenges.
For families seeking counseling, Western Youth Services offers outpatient mental health services that provide children and families with individualized care. In participating schools and districts, WYS also provides school-based mental health services, allowing students to access care in a familiar setting while working alongside educators and school communities. Both settings give children the opportunity to build skills they can utilize when they’re met with difficult emotions, stressful situations, or new challenges.
Helpful Back-to-School Mental Health Resources
If your family is looking for additional information as the school year begins, these trusted resources have practical guidance and tools for supporting children’s emotional health:
- Mental Health America: Back-to-School with Mental Health in Mind provides information on recognizing emotional challenges, supporting children through school transitions, and creating a positive mental health environment at home.
- The Mental Health Coalition: Back-to-School Mental Health Roadmap includes conversation starters and practical strategies to help families navigate common emotional challenges throughout the school year.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC’s back-to-school resources provide information on healthy routines, communication strategies, and ways families can support children’s overall health.
- Kids Mental Health Foundation: This collection of school mental health resources includes articles, activities, and expert guidance to help parents better understand children’s emotional development and know when to seek additional care.
Back-to-school anxiety isn’t always obvious. A change in mood, behavior, or routine can show that they need someone to listen and help them work through what they’re experiencing.
If your child’s anxiety is affecting their daily life, Western Youth Services is here to help. Through outpatient counseling and school-based mental health services available through participating schools and districts, WYS partners with children, families, and educators to provide mental health support that helps young people better understand their emotions, build coping skills, and feel more prepared to face challenges in and out of the classroom.
Western Youth Services works hard to protect the privacy of the children we help. As such, the names of our clients are changed.
Sources:
- https://childmind.org/article/back-school-anxiety/
- https://www.oc-cf.org/confronting-the-youth-mental-health-crisis-in-orange-county-keynote-by-dr-heather-huszti/
- https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/children
- https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/back-to-school-and-mental-health-supporting-children
- https://www.westernyouthservices.org/mental-health-clinics/
- https://www.westernyouthservices.org/school-based-services/
- https://mhanational.org/back-to-school-with-mental-health-in-mind/
- https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/back-to-school-mental-health-roadmap/
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/communication-resources/back-to-school.html
- https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/school
