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Back-to-School Blues
It's that time of year again—the carefree freedom of summer is traded for the routine of the school year. Most children, even those who look forward to school, moan and groan about returning to the classroom.
The return to school can be stressful for many students, no matter their age. They worry about making friends, getting a good teacher, and finding their way around a new building. But starting the new school year may be harder for some students than others. Last year, if your child had poor grades, struggled with homework, or was unhappy in school, he may not be thrilled about the coming school year. If your child is starting a new school, she might be feeling especially nervous.
When back-to-school stress gets to be too much for students to handle, it can lead to depression. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Mental Health Services, as many as one in every 33 children may have depression.1 It often goes unrecognized and can result in problems at school like failing grades and trouble making friends.
Signs of depression include:
- Persistent sadness
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and activities that were once enjoyed
- Increased irritability or agitation
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits (e.g., significant weight loss, not sleeping, excessive sleep)
- Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches and stomachaches
- Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
- Decreased energy level and chronic fatigue
- Play that involves excessive aggression toward self or others, or that involves persistently sad themes
- Indecision, lack of concentration, or forgetfulness
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from depression,
- Know the warning signs for depression, and note how often, how severe, and how long the troubling behavior lasts.
- Get accurate information from libraries, hotlines, the Web, and other sources.
- Take your child to see a mental health professional or doctor for evaluation and diagnosis if he or she is exhibiting several of the warning signs. The evaluation may include a variety of tests and consultation with other specialists.
- Ask questions about treatments and services. A treatment plan may include counseling, ongoing evaluation and, in some cases, medication. The treatment plan is best developed with your family, and whenever possible, the child.
- Talk to other families in your community or find a family network organization.
The start of a new school year can sometimes trigger depression, but the good news is that there are effective treatments to help set students on the right path. A child's mental health is critical to his success and happiness at school. Check in with him often to make sure his back-to-school moans and groans are typical youth complaints and not a sign of something more serious.
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Copyright © Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA’s Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free). Reprinted with permission.
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