Springfield mental health expert discusses mental health for children as they head back to school

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) — Heading back to school can be exciting for many children, but for some, it can be stressful.
Mental health experts like Allison Chamberlin, Unit Manager for Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at CoxHealth, say parents should be aware of what their child is going through.
“Going back to school can be a really exciting time, but it can also cause a lot of anxiety for some kids. So it’s really important for parents to know what signs to look for. You know that their kids are struggling with going back to school,” said Chamberlin.
Several things can make it difficult for your child to go back to school.
“Going back to school on its own itself can be really hard on kids just getting back into the routine of things. Maybe they’re starting a new school and trying to make new friends and new courses, thinking about their future and trying to align that with the classes that they’re choosing and that sort of thing,” said Chamberlin.
Chamberlin says it’s necessary to look for signs your child is struggling.
“Parents might notice things like, maybe their kids were really interested in a certain sport or a friend group or an activity at school, and suddenly they don’t have interest in that anymore. They might see changes in their sleep patterns. They might notice that they’re having a change in appetite. Some kids who are feeling really anxious, it might manifest in physical ways. So they might be complaining of more headaches or stomach aches than usual,” said Chamberlin.
Chamberlin says it’s important to communicate openly with your child so they know they can talk to you.
“It’s really important to have your child understand that you can have an open and honest dialog with them. Kind of know what their baseline is, know that it’s okay for them to know it’s okay for you to come to them with any concerns that you might have,” said Chamberlin.
Chamberlin also says it’s okay to ask for help if needed. Your pediatrician can provide behavioral therapy and medication for your child if necessary.
“Every child is different. But if a parent is noticing any changes or concerns in their child, or if their child has approached them that they’re struggling, a good place to start would be going to the primary care provider or the child’s pediatrician, and they can help them with community resources and then facilitate any referrals that they might need for further care,” said Chamberlin.
Remember, you can always call or text the national suicide hotline at 988 if you’re struggling.
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