Tips from a youth psychiatrist: 4 ways families can support their children's mental health during back-to-school

By Katarina Brkic

Thousands of students across the GTA returned to classrooms this week after the holidays, where physical distancing and mask wearing have become a familiar reality for many students.

With schools opening, many children and teens are excited to be learning and seeing their friends and teachers in-person again. However, some who struggled with mental health issues or developed anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic – particularly during this most recent wave of Omicron – may be finding it hard to be back in school.

Below, Dr. Susan MacKenzie, Staff Psychiatrist in the Adolescent and Mental Health Program at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), shares the impacts students are facing and four ways families can support their children’s mental health amid a return to school.

Embrace the structure of a new routine

Many children and youth have had to stay home for long periods of time during the pandemic, resulting in routines that may lack socialization, discipline or structure for some.

Some children may have also developed social or separation anxiety during this time. Others may be feeling the impact of virtual schooling on their mental health.

In these cases, Dr. MacKenzie says attending school in-person can be the beginning of a healthy change, as long as public health guidelines continue to be followed.

“Returning to school is a significant step for students,” she says. “This transition will expose students to structure and routine, which will be challenging and discomforting at first, but this is necessary for growth and development.”

Dr. MacKenzie says parents can help with their child’s transition back to school by establishing a regular bed time and wake-up time that is appropriate for the child’s age. This will help kids ease back into their pre-pandemic routines.

Make physical health a priority

The extended lockdowns and limits on social gatherings throughout the pandemic haven’t just impacted children’s mental health – it’s affected their physical health, too.

This can be especially harmful for children and teens who are still in the development stages of life.

“Some students have been inactive and unable to maintain their physical health because they haven’t been able to access the gym classes their school typically provides,” Dr. MacKenzie says. “For some children, this may result in issues that are harder to recover from.” 

Dr. MacKenzie recommends families incorporate physical activities into their children’s daily routine.

This could involve taking walks before or after school, going to the park or playing sports. If a child is taking classes online, scheduling quick bursts of exercise between virtual sessions can also be helpful.

Ensuring a child or teen’s physical health is in optimal shape helps support their mental health in the long run.

Find social outlets for children

In-person learning gives students the opportunity to socialize and hang out with their peers again.

However, Dr. MacKenzie says families should look for additional ways their children can grow their social skills.

“School is so much more than learning,” she says. “Building relationships with friends and getting involved in extracurricular activities is also important. This helps students have a well-rounded education outside of academics, which will lead to success.”

Dr. MacKenzie recommends socializing children through recreational or extracurricular activities, which gives them an opportunity to play with others their age.

She adds that some children and teens may feel uncomfortable when they are first starting a new activity, so it’s important that parents support their kids if they face any challenges. Positive encouragement and providing reassurance are also helpful.

Look for additional mental health resources

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected families in different ways and some face more challenges than others. Therefore, its important families don’t shy away from asking for help when they need it.

“There are many ways students and their parents can access resources for mental health,” Dr. MacKenzie says. “Families can start by looking at the tools available at schools, such as a guidance counsellor or social worker, who can provide support to students.”

Other supports include family doctors and paediatricians who can suggest alternative services or methods to support youth mental health.

Therapy and various community supports may also be helpful, depending on the severity and complexity of a child’s mental health issue.

“As the pandemic evolves, it’s important to ensure families, children and youth know all the supports that are available to them so we can work toward optimal health outcomes and make sure no one feels alone,” Dr. MacKenzie says.