Back-to-school anxiety? Tips from the Vt. Department of Mental Health
MONTPELIER, Vt. —
Thousands of Vermont students are heading to school Wednesday, which can be a stressful time for both kids and their parents. To help alleviate potential anxiety, the Vermont Department of Mental Health is offering recommendations to make the transition back to class, easier for everyone.
The first day of school can be exciting for students, but early wake-up times, new teachers and classes, and more academic responsibilities can add stress to students’ already busy lives.
Laurel Omland, director of the child, adolescent, and family unit, said one of the most important things a parent can do if their child is feeling nervous is to ask what is causing those emotions and validate what they are feeling. After that, she suggests planning ways to manage that stress together.
“There might be one particular thing that someone might be feeling anxious about. So, just trying to have that conversation about what are you anticipating? What are you excited about? What are you feeling a little nervous about?” said Omland. “Validating those [feelings] and helping them figure out, are there some things that we can do so that you’ll feel more ready?”
Omland also suggests going through the students’ daily schedule step by step, especially in the first few weeks. That can include listing the time for bus pickup, the schedule for after-school sports, and planning out time to do homework and decompress.
For older students, the VDMH recommends talking about any stress points with a parent, a trusted adult at school or even a friend who might be feeling the same way.