Tips for managing anxiety as kids return to school

It’s back to school time for thousands of students in Ontario. However, the 2022-23 school year is about more than just bells, books, and swapping summer vacation stories. This is the first attempt at a return to normal after two consecutive school years seriously disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, students and parents alike may be experiencing some trepidation about getting back to class. Left unchecked, this can lead to long-term anxiety issues and family conflict. For students, common stressors like wondering who will be in their class or worrying about a new teacher may be exacerbated by pandemic related school closures and being away from friends during the summer break. Students living in rural regions of Northern Ontario have been particularly hard hit by separation from their peers.

“I think of what parents can imagine as the usual stressors – just heightened from the uncertainty of a lack of personal experiences for a long time,” says Colleen McLean, a registered social worker and co-owner of Sound Youth Counselling in Parry Sound. “There’s a lot of friendships, up here particularly, that aren’t easily nurtured if there’s no school.”

And that separation from friends has resulted in some dark scenarios including an alarming increase in cyberbullying as kids rely on online resources to stay in touch with each other.

“Social media is filtering down into younger and younger kiddos and we’re seeing a lot of cyber bullying through Tik Tok and Snapchat and Instagram. It’s horrific and it’s so disheartening. I think that’s a potential stressor for sure.”

Kids Help Phone reported a 350% spike in service usage during the pandemic. Even as restrictions lifted, the service saw the number of calls and texts more than double in 2021 as young people reached out for someone to talk to. Colleen says Sound Youth Counselling has also seen a significant uptick in reports of general social anxiety, social interaction anxiety, and struggles with self esteem as students look ahead to the new school year.

“For any kids trying to figure out identity, whether that’s a new hairstyle or a new way of dressing or new pronouns or a new name, I think those can be really hard going back to school too. Sometimes summer gives a hiatus from needing to fit in, and then back we go, and maybe have to be somebody else again.”

The heightened stress can manifest physically, emotionally, and behaviourally in your child. Sudden and unexpected shifts in habits can be a key indicator that your child is experiencing stress and anxiety.

Signs that your child may be experiencing back to school anxiety:

Sleep disruptions including trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep or suddenly wanting to sleep with parents
Physical symptoms like a frequent upset stomach and headaches
A change in diet including not eating favourite foods or not wanting to eat
Not wanting to go out with friends and preferring to stay home
Withdrawing from family relationships and activities
Not wanting to go to school and a drop in grades
Changes in social groups

And while parents may notice that their child is experiencing these symptoms many don’t know what to do about it. Colleen says parents shouldn’t hesitate about reaching out for help as kids head back to school.

Tips to help kids combat back to school anxiety

Foster social interaction with peer groups. If you live in a rural area make an extra effort to connect with neighbors who have kids. You may spend some time driving but connecting with friends in person is crucial to your child’s social and emotional development. Knowing their friends may also help you narrow down the root cause of the child’s anxiety.
Keep an open line of communication by asking questions in a conversational way. Ask how their friends are feeling about going back to school or what the vibe in their class is like as the new school year gets underway. Once your child is feeling comfortable with the conversation start asking about their experience and feelings.
If your child is exhibiting severe anxiety about school don’t hesitate to turn to a teacher or principal for help. Ask to walk through the school before classes resume to reacclimate or familiarize the child with the environment.
Get to know what supports are available at the school such as guidance counsellors or social workers.
Look for resources outside of the school like drop-in centers.

After much criticism of how the education system was managed during the pandemic, the Ontario government has launched a “Plan to Catch Up” that includes a $26.6 billion investment into extracurriculars like clubs, band, and field trips. In a news release, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said, “We have a plan for students to catch up, including the largest tutoring program in Ontario’s history, a modernized skills-focused curriculum to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, and enhanced mental health supports.”

Those supports include $304 million in time-limited funding to support the hiring of up to 3,000 front line staff, including teachers, early childhood educators, educational assistants, and other education workers. The government has allocated $90 million for mental health initiatives and supports for students.

For the month of July, the government reported a downward trend in case rates, hospital admissions and deaths due to Covid-19. Outbreaks in high-risk settings have also decreased but many are concerned that the return of cold weather and people being inside in close quarters again could result in a surge of cases, and there’s even concern amongst our kids.

“There’s been so many disruptions in what should have been a predictable schedule in school or daycare,” Colleen says. “We’ve talked with little ones (who) worry the next day their best friend won’t be at school because they’re isolated. They’re much more aware and in tune than we think they are. Their way of processing it can create some anxiety for sure.”

To help kids cope with their emotions it’s important that parents regulate their own stress by practicing self-care. Colleen says a short delay before talking with your child about their anxiety is beneficial because it gives you time to clear your mind and process information you may need to help them. If there is an incident involving risky or unwanted behavior a reactionary response could cause conflict within the family and in fact, heighten your child’s stress. It’s better to take a deep breath, listen to what your child has to say, and then respond to the problem calmly.

Getting back to school and into pre-pandemic routines may be a challenge for some families, particularly for those with children who started school in the past two years. If you or your child are experiencing difficulty managing stress and anxiety please reach out for help. Sound Youth Counselling

info@soundyouthcounselling.ca

Go to the “Resources” page to contact a variety of agencies that can help in crisis situations or if you need financial aid

Kids Help Phone

https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Text CONNECT to 686868

If you identify as Indigenous, ask to be connected with a First Nations, Inuk or Métis crisis responder by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, or METIS to 686868 or through Facebook Messenger.