School stressors and how we can help

School stress is certainly on the minds of many students and parents. While each age brings its unique set of challenges, two school stressors are affecting a range of students.

The first stressor that can impact any age? Change in routine. It’s not just the child, but the entire family that has to adjust to the schedule of going back to school. Whether after summer vacation, a new semester or just the weekend, it can be stressful to switch back into “school mode”.

Set your family up for success and decrease stress: plan, communicate and (if necessary), practice.

If you don’t have a plan set before Monday morning – it will be harder for everyone to pivot from the weekend. We all do better when we have clear expectations. Have a plan that includes what time to leave for school, evenings that will have extracurricular activities and times for doing homework. The younger the child, the more planning, practice and communication it takes.

Another major school stressor: social pressure. Kids often wonder “Am I going to be liked?” Give them as many opportunities to practice being a good friend. They will learn to be better at navigating social skills, friendships and how to deal with bullying – a whole additional stress factor. School bullying has increased over the years, with 40% of students reporting that they were bullied on school property in the past year, and 18% say they’ve experienced cyberbullying. Half of them didn’t tell an adult. Having a good relationship with your child can help in a situation like that. It’s important for parents to educate their children on setting boundaries and when to escalate their concerns to a trusted adult.

Make sure your kids know they’re being heard. While being positive comes from a place of good intentions, pushing their emotions aside without acknowledgment can feel invalidating to their feelings or fears.

Instead of saying, “You’ll be okay” or “It won’t be so bad,” lead with empathy and understanding. For example, you could say something like, “I know it can feel scary…but I also know you to be strong and resilient. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow or the next day. We’ll talk about everything and work through it.”

Taking care of concerns together as a family can make the school year feel less stressful.

If school has you or your child feeling stressed—or if you or your child just wants someone to talk to—Teladoc Health is here to help. One of the services offered through Teladoc Health is called Mental Health Complete, and it is available to parents and children ages 13 and up. Members can schedule visits with board-certified psychiatrists and licensed therapists for treatment of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

On-demand digital messaging with a certified mental health coach and access to digital content such as self-guided programs are available to provide you with additional support between mental health visits. Members can utilize online tools 24/7 through the Teladoc Health app or member portal—securely, discreetly, and confidentially.