Back-to-School: Supporting Children’s Mental Health for a Successful Year

by Jessica Liria, Director of Prevention and Education Services
at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

For many families, the beginning of a new school year offers a fresh start, marking the start of an exciting new chapter with the return to classmates, learning and a variety of activities. At David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), we understand it can also spark a wave of stress, anxiety and worry in both children and their caregivers, causing a shift in children’s behavior that can affect their ability to learn.

Mental health issues, especially among youth, have sharply increased over the past several years, with nearly 20% of those who received DLC services in 2024 being children and adolescents. The back-to-school season can trigger or exacerbate these issues. Common stressors around this time include a busier schedule, social conflicts and academic pressures. To combat this, DLC wants to ensure caregivers are properly equipped to support their students, setting them up for the best possible new schoolyear.

The Collier County Behavioral Health Center, a partnership between David Lawrence Centers and Collier County, will nearly triple the number of adults DLC can serve, including those requiring inpatient care through the Baker Act and the Marchman Act, as well as seniors with Medicare who need inpatient care.

Preparing your child for a successful back-to-school season

Much of the back-to-school stress can derive from a change in routine. Children typically thrive with a general, predictable routine, and the end of their summer schedule can be uncomfortable. There are a variety of techniques caregivers can use to ease this transition and set their children up for a successful learning experience, including:

School shopping: Make shopping for school supplies and new clothes into a fun experience. Getting students excited about their new materials will encourage a more positive outlook on the school year ahead.

Plan ahead: Review the academic calendar before school starts to identify early release and no school dates and make arrangements ahead of time. If possible, maintain your routine these days and build in learning activities.

Ease into a routine: Start transitioning into your school schedule one to two weeks before school starts. Adjusting to earlier wake-up and bedtimes can take time, so practicing beforehand will allow children to sleep better during the first weeks of school.

Designate a homework area: To strengthen focus, designate a specific place for homework with limited distractions. Display artwork or schoolwork proudly to build confidence in their academics and create an encouraging environment. Build time into your routine to review their assignments and provide support when needed.

Be actively engaged: Meet your child’s teachers and communicate any important information they may need to know including allergies and medical concerns, or things that help your child calm down when they are upset. Get to know the school’s administrators, youth resource deputy and counselors too.

Discuss action plans: Before school begins, have conversations with your student about what to do if certain situations occur, such as what to do if they experience bullying, miss the bus or get lost. Preparing children with safety steps and reassuring messaging canhelp reduce their anxiety in the moment.

Be informed: Acknowledge the fact that your child may be exposed to social media apps or websites that you would not typically allow at home. Stay current on the apps used most often by students and prepare your student on what to expect and necessary safety precautions. If your child has a cell phone or tablet, establish an agreement for its use.

How DLC can support children and families

DLC is ready to help set up your family for success. Our goal at DLC is to give children and teenagers the tools they need to have a healthy and vibrant future through thoughtful and intentional combinations of education, prevention, intervention and treatment. Our diverse programs include community-based services, voluntary day programs, psychiatric and medication evaluation, inpatient services and outpatient therapy and counseling as well as holistictherapies such as art and pet therapy, nutrition and structured fitness. Through this personalized care, the best-in-class staff at DLC gives children and young adults in need the best chance TEXpress themselves.

To learn more about the work DLC is doing to provide lifesaving and life-changing behavioral health care to those in need, visit DLCenters.org