Beating back-to-school stress

AS students start their new school year, headspace Ballarat staff are offering mental health and wellbeing tips to help young people settle in calmly.

Term one can be a busy, exciting, and overwhelming time, and family and carer peer navigator Nicole Saunders said students should be mindful of taking care of themselves, but parents also need to be ready to assist as best they can.

“Returning to school could bring about a variety of feelings such as excitement, nervousness, possible worry and anxiousness, and this may not only be felt by the young person,” she said.

“The new year brings about a change in classroom dynamics with new teachers and subjects. They could be entering into year 7, 11 or 12 and already be feeling the pressure of expectation.

“Parents and carers also walk alongside their young person and contemplate a return to the regular Monday to Friday routine.”

If a young person is restless, seems stressed, isn’t eating normally, or they aren’t getting a good night’s sleep, Ms Saunders identified these as signs that school may be worrying them.

“To help prepare your young person and help to alleviate some of those feelings establish and build on positive and confident feelings about returning to school,” she said.

“Bring up the conversation in a casual way. This could be whilst engaging in an activity with your teen that they like doing.

“If they are not ready to talk about it hold off and try again at another stage. Encourage them through positive statements such as, ‘I believe in you.’

“Support your young person with stress and anxious feelings by asking them first what has helped them in the past.

“You could ask them if there is anything in particular they are concerned about then support them through their thoughts and feelings.”

For more information, headspace Ballarat is based on Camp Street, and a drop-in service is available Monday to Friday from 1pm to 4pm.