School Year Kick Off for Mental Health

School Year Kick Off for Mental Health

BY MAURA MCBREEN, MS, LMFT
Owner of Wounded Haven Counseling

Many readers of this magazine are likely directly impacted with the start of the school year. This population includes, but is not limited to, students, parents, teachers and community resources. This article is filled with tips and tricks to help make the start of the school year smoother. Regardless of what you take from this article, remember at the end of the day, it may help to pick one thing you are going to do differently this year and work towards that consistently.

For many, the start of the school year and the month leading up to it can be filled with high anxiety, fear and dread. Talking to your children during the summer is a great way to connect with them and see how they are feeling about starting school. Discussion of some short and long term goals could be helpful, as well as talking about hopes they have and what they may be excited about. These can help them to feel as though they have control and structure. It is important to remember that a child’s experience in school looks different for every child. This may be the case even if you have multiple children or when your child experiences school differently than you did. Their experience is their own. For those who may not enjoy talking, having a parent initiate the conversation can plant a seed and keep the door open for when your child may want to connect. More times than not, this gesture will not go unnoticed if they do have worries that arise.

As parents build the connection with their kids during a check in, it’s a wonderful time to address needed resources for the kids and family. Seeking connection with your children will never be wasted time. This resourcing could be within the school, outside of school, or both. Touching base with the school counselor or school licensed mental health professional is a great option to help the child feel seen and heard during the school year. If your child doesn’t have a therapist in the community, seeking an intake with a provider who works well with minors can also be imperative to their academic successes. If a child is struggling in school with academics or social skills, taking time out of the school day for a therapeutic service can lead to not only a healthier child mentally and emotionally, but improved grades, social skills and educational involvement. An additional resource could be creating a toolbox with your child. This toolbox will look different depending on the age of the child, and is meant to be items that allow the child to cope during the school day. A snack, beverage, picture of family, letter from a parent, fidget, plan with faculty for a short break, etc. can be included. The school can work with families to build this box and understand how to implement the use of items. When a school better understands a child, and the parents are actively involved as advocates for their child(ren), outcomes can drastically improve for all parties.

As stated, getting to know your contacts at the school your child will be attending is such a great way to soothe some of those nerves and feel more grounded in the transition back to school. These faculty members can help students and families connect to resources within the school as well as resources they have utilized outside of school. Building connections with school staff models for the child that it’s ok to also build trust and relationships with faculty. Kids spend a lot of time in school, so it is important to encourage those healthy connections. If something feels off for the child at school, encourage them to advocate for themselves and ask questions. One of my favorite mantras is “it’s no until you ask.” School is a milestone for building the skills necessary for work and a career, as well as a plethora of social interactions in various degrees. With that comes a need to communicate, connect, ask questions, build resources and reach out for help. It’s an opportunity to help your child and those you serve develop the necessary skills to thrive.

Remember, there are many wonderful therapists eager to work with individuals in the Mankato area who are knowledgeable of childhood struggles and helping parents navigate the challenges that school can bring. Reach out today so that you and your child can find “your person!”