As families load shopping carts with backpacks, notebooks and lunch supplies, physicians say another back-to-school checklist deserves attention.
Routine immunizations, food-allergy plans, children’s mental health and the growing risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters are all top concerns as students head back to the classroom.
Doctors also warn that parents, particularly mothers, should not overlook their own well-being as they juggle the demands of the school year.
“Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have in health care because they protect not only the individual child but also those around them,” said Dr. Rebecca Hicks, a family physician and president of the Ontario Medical Association.
Hicks said the return to school serves as a natural checkpoint for parents to review vaccination records and ensure children are up to date on routine immunizations.
The renewed emphasis comes as public health officials continue to monitor measles activity in parts of Ontario and across Canada.
Because measles is among the most contagious infectious diseases, physicians say maintaining high vaccination rates remains one of the most effective ways to protect both students and the communities around them.
“With the recent measles outbreak, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is probably top of mind for many parents,” Hicks said. “Beyond that, all routine childhood immunizations should be kept up to date.”
Ontario’s immunization schedule includes protection against diseases such as measles, meningitis, hepatitis B, whooping cough and tetanus, with several vaccines administered through school-based programs during adolescence.
Hicks acknowledged some parents remain hesitant about vaccines following the COVID-19 pandemic, but encouraged families to discuss concerns with their family physician rather than relying on information circulating online.
“Physicians are ready, willing and able to discuss both the effectiveness and safety of vaccines,” she said. “Vaccines are effective and incredibly safe.”
Beyond immunizations, Hicks said schools and families should also be prepared for serious food allergies.
“Any child at risk of an anaphylactic reaction should have a clear emergency plan in place,” she said.
That includes ensuring teachers, caregivers and school staff are aware of the allergy and that non-expired EpiPens are readily available.
Surge in e-scooter injuries
Another issue increasingly appearing on physicians’ radar is the rapid growth in injuries involving e-bikes and e-scooters.
Recent Canadian data shows hundreds of people were hospitalized for e-scooter-related injuries over the past year, while severe pediatric injuries and fatalities have prompted renewed calls for stronger safety measures, clearer regulations and greater enforcement of age restrictions.
The numbers are especially concerning for children and young teens.
Hospitalizations involving children aged 15 and under have risen significantly, while pediatric specialists have reported growing numbers of serious head injuries linked to the devices.
For doctors, the concern is simple: many families underestimate the speed and potential danger of today’s motorized devices.
“It’s important to remember that once something is motorized, it’s no longer simply a bicycle or scooter. It’s a motorized vehicle,” Hicks said.
“I think it’s important to avoid these devices for younger children. For any wheeled device, helmets are essential.”
Medical experts also point to a patchwork of municipal regulations. While some communities permit e-scooters under pilot projects, others restrict or prohibit their use, creating confusion for parents trying to determine what is legal and safe.
“The faster something travels, the greater the risk of serious injury,” Hicks said.
Supporting children’s mental health
Mental health is another area families should keep in mind as students transition from the flexibility of summer into a more structured routine.
For many children, returning to school means adapting to new teachers, classrooms, classmates and expectations. Some anxiety, Hicks said, is entirely normal.
“These factors can naturally create stress,” she said.
The key, she added, is maintaining open communication and paying attention to signs that a child may be struggling beyond normal back-to-school jitters.
Those warning signs can include withdrawal from friends or activities, refusing to attend school, persistent headaches, stomach aches or changes in behaviour.
“Families don’t need to wait for a crisis before talking to a doctor or pediatrician,” Hicks said.
While much of the attention this time of year focuses on students, physicians say children’s well-being is closely tied to the health of the adults caring for them.
The hidden burden behind back-to-school season
That connection is highlighted in a new national Ipsos survey conducted for GreenShield, which found many Canadian mothers are carrying what experts describe as a heavy “mental load” as they prepare their families for the school year.
The survey found 92 per cent of Canadian mothers reported carrying the family’s mental load, while 71 per cent said they had delayed or avoided seeking mental health support, most often because of time constraints and cost.
Nearly two-thirds reported feeling overwhelmed, and more than half said they experienced burnout or anxiety.
The survey also found 95 per cent of mothers agreed that managing children’s needs has become more complex in recent years.
In Ontario, some findings were even higher.
While 86 per cent of Canadian mothers reported feeling “always on” as they balanced family responsibilities, that figure climbed to 93 per cent among Ontario mothers — the highest regional result in the country.
Psychologist and GreenShield’s director of clinical services Dr. Khush Amaria said the survey reflects an often invisible burden mothers face while preparing children for the back-to-school season. GreenShield / Photo supplied
Psychologist and GreenShield’s director of clinical services Dr. Khush Amaria said the findings reflect an often invisible burden that extends far beyond chores or household tasks.
“It’s much more than a to-do list,” Amaria said. “It’s the never-ending feeling of always being on and feeling responsible for everything happening in the family’s life.”
That burden intensifies during the back-to-school season as parents coordinate schedules, buy supplies, manage transportation, monitor academics and worry about their children’s emotional well-being.
Amaria said the survey’s findings suggest many mothers continue to shoulder much of the behind-the-scenes planning and emotional labour, even in households where responsibilities may otherwise appear shared.
“They’re the ones thinking about the 10 other things that need to happen to support the family’s well-being,” she said.
That can include financial pressures, scheduling conflicts, concerns about social media, children’s mental health and the countless details required to keep a family running.
Unlike a visible chore that can be crossed off a list, Amaria said mental load often goes unnoticed until it begins affecting a person’s health.
“What we hear from women is that they’re not sleeping well, they’re constantly worried, they’re getting headaches, they’re feeling irritable, they’re struggling to make decisions,” she said.
Seeking help before burnout
Amaria said one of the biggest challenges is convincing mothers that taking care of their own mental health is not selfish.
“The first thing I want women to do is identify and validate what they’re experiencing,” she said. “This is real, and they’re not alone.”
She encouraged mothers to delegate responsibilities where possible, seek support from partners, family members and friends, and consider professional help when stress becomes difficult to manage.
Therapy, she said, can help people address overwhelm, excessive worry, self-doubt and self-critical thinking before those issues develop into something more serious.
“If you’re feeling overwhelmed and it’s affecting your ability to function, seek help now,” Amaria said. “Don’t tell yourself you’ll wait a few more days or get through one more transition first.”
Hicks drew a similar connection between caring for children and caring for oneself.
“If you’re a caregiver in any capacity, whether you’re a parent, health-care provider, or an adult caring for an aging parent, it’s very difficult to care effectively for someone else if you’re not caring for yourself first,” she said.
As families tackle another school year, both physicians said the goal is simple: identify problems early, whether they involve vaccines, injuries, anxiety or caregiver burnout.
The first days of school may be focused on students, but doctors say healthy children often start with healthy, supported parents.
“Taking care of mental health is both a priority and a responsibility,” Amaria said. “It’s also a powerful way to model healthy behaviour for our children.”
Editor’s Picks