Whether your teen had a productive summer of extracurriculars and working, or they soaked up the sun as much as possible with their friends, it can be hard getting them back into the right mindset for school. Going back to school could be taking a toll on their mental health, which can make it difficult for them to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Going back to school can impact a teen’s mental health in a variety of ways. They’re faced with new subjects and teachers while trying to navigate new routes in the school. It’s possible that they’re not able to see their friends as much due to differing schedules or they’re nervous about joining a new club. All of these factors can cause negative feelings of stress, frustration and sadness. The good news is, there are several ways that you can help.

We’ll share a few strategies for parents who want to help manage their mental health as they start a new school year.

5 ways you can help your teen manage their mental health

Your teen’s mental health may go through peaks and valleys. With the right tips and tricks, you can help them have good mental health while they’re back in school and develop the skills they need to manage it during distressing times.

Here are five tips for helping parents manage their teen’s mental health while back in school:

• Provide a safe space — Having open communication can have a significant positive impact on your teen’s mental health. While you don’t want to push them to speak about their challenges before they’re ready, it’s important that they understand you’re there for them with open arms and ears. You can make sure that you encourage your home to be a safe space for them to express all of their emotions. They should feel comfortable sharing their problems and collaborating on solutions.
• Have daily check-ins — Branching off the previous point, try to have a check-in with your teen every day when they return home from school. Instead of asking them, “How was school?,” you can ask, “How are you feeling today?” or “Are you stressed out about anything?” By asking them questions that go deeper than surface-level school questions, you’re giving them the opportunity to open up. You may also pick up nonverbal cues that might indicate that your teen is stressed or anxious, such as shaky hands.

• Collaborate on planning — At any given time, your teen likely has multiple deadlines, extracurricular event dates and friends’ birthdays floating around in their head. Organization plays a key role in maintaining a teen’s mental health during a busy school year. Sit down with them to plan, schedule, and prioritize their responsibilities and time commitments. It can become a regular part of your Sunday or Monday. You can help them use calendars, reorganize their schoolwork and create to-do lists.
• Encourage breaks — When a teen returns to school, they have exams to study for, homework to complete and presentations to create. They may do extracurricular activities that require additional effort, such as planning fundraisers or practicing for a sport. It can be easy for them to become completely absorbed in their work for hours at a time. This can potentially lead to burnout. Make sure they take breaks by calling them away for family time, setting a timer or incorporating breaks into their schedule.
• Practice breathing exercises — When your teen becomes stressed, anxious or frustrated, you may be tempted to say, “Just breathe.” While the statement is simplistic and seems unhelpful, the sentiment is still important. Learn breathing exercises that you can practice with your teen when they’re struggling to manage their mental health. Breathing exercises, such as box breathing and lion’s breath, can help reduce stress, relax tight muscles and slow down racing thoughts. 

Lightfully Teen can help you maintain your teen’s mental health during the school year

When you’re the parent of a teen, it’s important that they know you’re by their side throughout their mental health journey. And that journey can come with many roadblocks and challenges when a teen returns to school. The right strategies can help your teen maintain good mental health when things get difficult throughout the school year. However, if they have persistent or recurring mental health concerns, such as symptoms of major depressive disorder or anxiety disorders, it’s important that you connect your teen with the right care. Talk to their provider about the most effective steps to take toward improving their mental, emotional and behavioral health.

At Lightfully Teen, teens can learn how to manage their mental health by developing the right skills and habits needed to maintain it, especially if they have a mental health condition. They can learn stress management, relaxation techniques and emotional regulation. Our three levels of care are Residential Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step toward helping your teen’s mental health, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.