Navigating back-to-school anxiety

With the countdown to another school year underway, you may already have stocked up on school supplies and started planning extracurricular activities.

But you should also create a checklist for your child’s emotional needs, which may range from excitement to anxiety, advises Alexandria Fernandes Hoyt, a child and adolescent mental health social worker at Oak Valley Health.

“Build excitement around the new school year while offering compassion and reassurance to address any worries,” says Fernandes Hoyt, who has more than 27 of experience under her belt.

She also encourages parents to engage and observe by regularly checking in with their child. “Listen to their feelings, observe their behaviour and explore their emotional responses,” she says. ”Focus on building their strengths and understanding what strategies work best for them.”

Fernandes Hoyt also recommends adopting supportive strategies by validating your child’s feelings and evaluating your own well-being as a parent. “Establish consistent routines and practise them together to help ease the transition,” she says.

Finally, she encourages parents to seek additional support when necessary. “Despite best efforts, some children may need additional care,” Fernandes Hoyt explains. “Oak Valley Health provides in-hospital services such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), mindfulness and more. Additional community resources are available for anxiety disorders and offer comprehensive treatment.”