By Edwin J. Viera
Heading into the new school year, New York parents should watch for changes to kids’ mental health as closely as they watch their physical health.
Although research indicates kids’ mental health has improved since the pandemic, it’s still considered poor: 272,000 New York adolescents a year have a major depressive episode. Getting back to the classroom can mean returning to certain stressful situations.
James Norton, overnment and community affairs manager for the National Alliance on Mental Health in New York state, noted that these vary between “eustress” and “distress” – or good and bad stress. He described what these might look like.
“The distress might be the need to fit in, but the eustress might be excitement over going back to school, being able to take part in sports teams and clubs, seeing their friends again,” he said. “It’s important to remember both of those things are stresses, and coping with stress is an important part of building positive mental health.”
School-based mental health services are also becoming better equipped to help kids. Reports show New York state has numerous school psychologists and counselors, but lacks enough school-based social workers.
While there are certain signs parents can watch out for, and these may vary depending on the child’s age. Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Student Resources, said some signs are common in kids of all ages.
“Warning symptoms that span all ages are persistent sadness, avoidance of social interaction, sudden mood changes, concentration problems,” she said. “But then we also have to look at the physical changes that we may see: complaints about pain, stomach pain, headaches, changes in eating habits, changes in sleep patterns.”
She added that another sign is when academic performance slips. Brady said parents might miss some of the signs as they lead busy lives. She noted that taking time to talk with and really listen to kids can help keep their mental health in check. One exercise called “Ten Question Tuesday” can help parents ask the right questions to understand the stressors and mental-health challenges in their kids’ lives.
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