Make Mental Health a Priority as Kids Return to School

About 700,000 Kentucky children will return to school in the coming weeks, and experts say preparing them for the transition is important.

Although preparation may include shopping for notebooks and clothes, parents are encouraged to think beyond what goes into their child’s backpack.
Hannah Brosnan, executive director of Mental Health America of Kentucky, said families should talk with their children about upcoming changes in routine and gradually adjust each day to match the school schedule.

“For example, if bedtime and wake-up times are later in the summer than the school year, as they often are, consider slowly moving toward those earlier times, maybe by 30 minutes every few days,” Brosnan suggested.

Small adjustments can have a significant effect on mental health. A study by Penn State University researchers found that consistent routines at home can make children less likely to struggle with the back-to-school transition.

Among rural, low-income families, children with regular bedtimes and shared meals had fewer reported behavioral problems and ADHD symptoms. Child wellness experts also recommend a comprehensive mental health screening to identify concerns before the new semester begins.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said about one in five children ages 3 to 17 has an emotional, behavioral or mental health diagnosis.

“In every age group, those concerns can look different. For a younger child, you might see issues with behavior or outbursts or separation anxiety. Older children might have issues with stress, or attention, or friendships, or grades,” Randall said.
Brosnan emphasized that parents should talk with their children about returning to school and give them room to express their feelings.

“With younger children, we can equip them with the tools to identify their feelings, the reason for those feelings, and a healthy next step. So for example, ‘I’m happy because my friend played with me. Next, I’ll give them a high five,'” Brosnan added.

More than 87% of parents say the back-to-school transition causes stress, and more than half describe it as the most stressful time of the year, according to 2023 data from the education nonprofit Understood.