Back to School: Prioritizing Student Mental Health and Well-Being
Back to School: Prioritizing Student Mental Health and Well-Being
As we approach the end of summer and prepare for students’ return to school, Tree of Life Counseling Center wants to encourage students and parents to take some time to evaluate preventative measures to prioritize you and your student’s mental health this year.
From social anxiety, academic pressures, behavioral concerns, and more, there are many mental health conditions and triggers that may be heightened during back-to-school season. On this week’s episode of More Than a Therapy Couch, we sit down with Tree of Life Counseling Center’s founder and owner, Alyson Resnick to discuss some common warning signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health during the transition back to school.
What are some triggers that occur during back-to-school season?
Returning to school after summer vacation can be a jarring transition that involves several changes in routine that can be potentially distressing to students and parents. Some of the most common changes that may occur include:
Academic pressures: Many students are experiencing rigorous and academically challenging course loads and are still developing the time management skills to cope with changing schedules.
Social obligations: As children grow up, they experience shifts in social structures, where they need to navigate making friends, keeping friends, and finding a support system in new spaces outside their immediate family.
Adapting to a new environment: Students, particularly college students who choose to live on campus, may be navigating the challenges of living on one’s own for the first time. This may be the first time some students learn how to do their own laundry, prepare food, or clean their space.
Financial concerns: With private schooling and higher education in the United States being a large expense for most individuals, many students are navigating debt and working part-time or full-time jobs alongside their coursework to be able to afford school.
Individuation and identity development: School can be a great time for students to meet diverse groups of individuals, who all hold various viewpoints and opinions that they may not have been exposed to before. As a result, this can be a pivotal time for students to distinguish their own belief and value systems from that of their families or communities.
What are some warning signs someone may be struggling with their mental health?
As peers, parents, and educators, it is important that we are aware of the most common warning signs that a student may be struggling with their mental health. Poor student mental health can impact their academic success, physical health, social and emotional development, and have long-lasting effects on their self-image and well-being.
At Tree of Life Counseling Center, some of the most common conditions we see an increase in during back-to-school season include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral concerns.
Resnick explains…
“When we start to go through new experiences, that new experience is scary sometimes. It’s knowing how to prepare for that, that makes it a little bit easier. ”
Generally, some of the most common warning signs of poor student mental health include changes in sleep or appetite, social withdrawal, anger or aggression toward others, extreme mood swings, and a shift in academic performance.
When should I see a professional?
If you or a loved one are concerned about a student’s mental health, it is important to be proactive in reaching out for support. A licensed mental health professional can work one-on-one with students and parents to evaluate the root cause of symptoms and develop a customized approach to cope with the transition back to school.
By recognizing the signs of declining student mental health, fostering open communication, and establishing a supportive routine, you can help your student navigate the challenges of a new school year with confidence and resilience.
To listen to the full episode of More Than a Therapy Couch, visit https://www.youtube.com/@TreeofLifeCC or find us on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Pandora.
About Tree of Life Counseling Center
At Tree of Life Counseling Center in Princeton, NJ and Freehold, NJ, we have an experienced team of 50+ clinicians to help support you, and your family, through whatever you may be facing. Schedule an appointment today by calling 732-393-8391 or filling out an online form at https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today.
