Unpacking kids’ mental health as class resumes

Mental health experts urge parents to watch for increased stress and anxiety in their children as the school year gets underway. Licensed therapists Allison Traina and Christopher Banke of the Children’s Center in Vancouver said the transition from a lax summer routine back to the academic and social pressures of school can cause stress for children at any age. “Going from being pretty isolated at times over the summer and having to transition back into being around a large group of people, I think, can be pretty stressful for a lot of my clients,” said Traina, who primarily works with teens. Banke, who works with younger children, said the transition into middle school can be especially difficult because of the more complex schedule with multiple teachers and classrooms. According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, adolescent mental health nationwide was worsening prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Clark County, students reported lower rates of depression and suicidal feelings compared with recent years, according to the Washington State Department of Health’s latest Healthy Youth Survey. The survey is conducted every two years to gauge the health and well-being of kids in Washington. More than 213,000 students across grades six, eight, 10 and 12 statewide participated in the survey, including nearly 12,000 in Clark County. On the topic of depression, students were asked, “In the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?” The survey said 29 percent of Clark County 12th graders responded “yes,” down from 31 percent in 2023. Additionally, 12 percent of 12th graders reported seriously contemplating suicide in the past year, compared with 16 percent in 2023 and 21 percent in 2021. Symptoms can differ Traina said stressors can manifest differently for each child. Physical symptoms may include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, shakiness or overall increased irritability, and typically are reported in the morning. Parents should keep an eye out for children isolating themselves in their rooms, increasing their screen time or having trouble sleeping, Banke said. But what can a parent or loved one do when they start to notice signs a child or teen may be struggling? For teens, Traina suggests starting with consistent and low-pressure conversations about mental well-being, perhaps during the car ride home from school. She also suggested families make regular check-ins a part of their routines. “I think parents of teenagers, you want them to have autonomy, but I think there’s a limit to that,” Traina said. “If you’re really concerned about your child, you should seek out support from people and try to all work together to make sure that they have the support that they need, because teenagers don’t always know where to go for it.” Banke suggests parents help younger children observe sensations in their bodies and practice breathing exercises, then reflect on whether a disturbing thought is a fact or a guess and whether it’s helpful or unhelpful. “We’re all capable of unhelpful and helpful thoughts,” Banke said. “Parents can check that with their kids. A lot of times, kids get it right away, even young ones in elementary school.” Banke suggests helping children develop a plan that includes a couple of strategies for dealing with distress. Parents can help children break a big task down into small steps, and approach stressors instead of avoiding them. “Lean into the stress rather than just avoiding it, only because it piles up, and then eventually, it’s a bigger monster you have to deal with,” Banke said. Both Banke and Traina emphasized building a team of trusted adults at school, at home and in the community who can provide support. “Safeguard family time, and safeguard healthy limits on screen usage, because that also plays a huge role within routine and having a sense of balance throughout it all,” Banke said. If parents or loved ones are feeling like they need extra support or help, they should talk to a school counselor or their pediatrician. Children 13 and older can call or request mental health services without a parent’s consent in Washington. “It doesn’t hurt to get some support if you are concerned about your child,” Traina said.

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