Back-to-School Mental Health: UnityPoint Health – Meriter Offers Tips for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-Being This School Year
(Madison, WI): As students swap swimsuits for backpacks and summer turns into a new school year, UnityPoint Health – Meriter is reminding families that a successful transition back to class involves more than just school supplies and schedules—it also requires supporting children’s mental and emotional well-being.
Start with Open Conversations
Talking openly about school can ease the transition. Parents are encouraged to ask open-ended questions such as, “What are you most looking forward to this year?” or “What’s something you feel a little worried about?” Acknowledging that mixed emotions are normal helps children feel understood and supported.
Watch for Warning Signs
While some back-to-school jitters are normal, persistent changes in behavior may signal a deeper concern. Warning signs can include:
- Frequent, unexplained physical complaints such as stomachaches or headaches
- Increased irritability or sadness
- Changes in sleep patterns, including trouble falling asleep or nightmares
- Withdrawal from friends or loss of interest in activities
- Difficulty concentrating or declining grades
Normalize Mental Health Discussions
Using age-appropriate language helps children understand it’s okay to ask for help. For younger children, parents might say, “Sometimes our brains need help just like our bodies do when we’re sick.” Older children may respond better to conversations about stress, coping skills, and counseling resources.
Encourage Healthy Coping Habits
Balancing schoolwork, rest, play, and family time is essential. Activities like deep breathing, journaling, and physical exercise can help children manage stress and build emotional resilience.
If a child’s anxiety, mood changes, or other concerns worsen or continue, UnityPoint Health – Meriter’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program offers specialized care to help children and teens navigate emotional challenges. Parents concerned about their child’s mental health are encouraged to contact their primary care provider for referral options.
In partnership with UnityPoint Health – Meriter
UnityPoint Health – Meriter provides convenient, personal care to patients in hospital and clinic settings. As a partner of UW Health and affiliate of UnityPoint Health, we are devoted to showing our people and communities how much they matter. We offer primary and specialty care, have the busiest birthing center in Wisconsin and are regularly recognized for outstanding quality and patient experience.
