LADSON, S.C. (WCSC) — As students head back to class, mental health experts say the transition to a new school year can bring a range of emotions that parents need to know the warning signs of.
Matthew Dorman, the director of clinical operations at Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness, says parents should watch for certain changes in their children.
“Parents should watch their child for disruption in sleep, disruption in appetite, any emotional disruptions that they may be having,” Dorman says. “Parents should meet with their child and have an open conversation about what it’s like to return to school for them. Parents should resist the temptation of finding solutions for their child immediately.”
Younger students may not be fully able to communicate what they are feeling, while middle and high school students may have a deeper understanding of their emotions, according to mental health experts.
Experts say creating a plan so everyone feels comfortable starts with an open, honest conversation between parents and children.
The return to school can also affect how students engage with technology and social media. Experts say signs that a student may be impacted by their time online include changes in sleep patterns, eating and school anxiety.
Dorman says social media is a concern for children regardless of age, not just for those being introduced to it for the first time.
“Social media is an issue for all children of all ages,” Dorman says. “Parents should not necessarily use the back-to-school to talk about that. They should be talking about that all the time with their child.”
Families seeking support have options, including school guidance counselors and organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Students who feel social media is harming their health are encouraged to reach out to a guidance counselor or a trusted adult.
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