How to Support Your Child's Mental Health This School Year
The start of every school year can be jarring for children. It's a period of transition that is often accompanied by heightened anxiety, stress, and feelings of uncertainty. Prioritizing your child's mental health is important to help them adapt and thrive in the new school year. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to support your child's mental health this school year. You can help ensure that your child is able to manage any challenges they may face while at school and maintain good mental health by implementing these tips:
Establish Routines
Establishing routines is important because it creates a sense of predictability and control in your child's life. Having a structured routine allows children to feel at ease with changes. Implementing routines can be as simple as establishing a regular morning, after-school, and bedtime routine. Make sure to be flexible about routines and make necessary changes as the new school year progresses.
Encourage Physical Activity
Regular physical activity helps reduce stress, boost mood, and improve cognitive functions. Encourage your children to engage in regular exercise or sports activities to help them cope with some of the stress that can arise from school activities. Plan fun physical activities to keep them engaged and active such as:
Hiking
Family bike rides or dance parties
Play frisbee or soccer at the park
Go bowling on a rainy day
Play catch in the backyard
Go for a walk around your neighborhood
Set Realistic Expectations for Your Child in Terms of Schoolwork Load
As parents, we want nothing but the best for our children, but sometimes our good intentions can lead to overloading our kids with too much. Set realistic expectations for your child's academic workload by considering the following when deciding how much homework or studying is appropriate for them:
Age - Younger kids need more downtime and unstructured play.
Ability - You know your child best and likely have a good sense of how much they can handle.
Schedule - If your child is heavily involved in extracurricular activities, they might have less time to dedicate to studying.
Though we want to challenge and motivate our children, overburdening them with too much work can cause them unnecessary stress and anxiety. By setting reasonable expectations, we allow our children to feel confident in their ability to manage their workload and achieve their goals.
Learn the Signs That a Child May Be Struggling With Their Mental Health
It can be tough to recognize when a child is facing mental health challenges, but being aware of the signs can make all the difference in getting them the support they need. Some of the most common signs to watch out for include:
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Intense mood swings
Withdrawal from friends and family
Trouble focusing or completing tasks
Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches
If you notice any of these behaviors or the warning signs of suicide, don't hesitate to contact your child's healthcare provider or a mental health professional for guidance. Knowing the signs is the first step in helping your child thrive.
For additional resources to help you or others find the needed support during a mental health crisis, view our curated list of resources to help you find treatment or learn more about suicide prevention.
* * * * *
Please share any feedback or topics that interest you by emailing us here.
About Gabriel's Light
In 2019, Carol and Brendan Deely founded Gabriel’s Light in honor of their son who died by suicide at age 12. In honor of Gabe and all those lost to suicide, they share their journey with the hope that others may learn and grow from their tragedy. Focusing on three pillars of cyber safety, suicide prevention, and kindness campaigns, through outreach, programs, partnerships, and funding, they raise awareness and inspire youth, parents, and educators to take action and help forward their mission.