National Mental Health Association Provides 'Back to School' Wellness Tips to Smooth Transition into School Year

For many school-age children, transitioning into a new school or grade can be challenging and stressful. The National Mental Health Association is helping kids and their families get off to a healthy start by providing tools and tips for good mental health. With approximately 40 million youth heading to pre- school/kindergarten, elementary and middle school this fall, NMHA's annual Back to School Campaign reaches out to these students' parents to increase awareness of the integral role mental wellness plays in the school life and overall healthy development of children.

"It's impossible to overstate the importance of mental health in all aspects of a child's school experience," said David Shern, Ph.D., NMHA president and CEO. "Academic success, peer-to-peer relationships, good behavior - all are determined by the mental and emotional wellness of children, which is why parents and their kids must prioritize establishing good mental health at the start of the school year."
Research shows the start of a new school year comes with mixed emotions, with more than one-third of eight to 18 year olds saying they feel nervous and anxious. Parents who take an active role in their child's education can ensure a healthy transition and prevent potential mental health problems from developing.
NMHA offers the following tips for parents to use in supporting their children through the start of school and beyond:

• Express interest and enthusiasm about the start of the school year. If you are confident and excited, your child will be too.
• Take a walk around the school with your child and locate his or her classrooms, lunchroom, playground and restrooms. This will help your child to feel more comfortable with his or her surroundings and prevent feeling lost on the first day.
• Take time to listen to your child and discuss aspects of the new school that may appear to be scary or challenging.
• Spend time each day talking to your child about what happened in school. Give positive feedback about his or her new experiences.
• Praise and encourage your child to become involved with school activities and try new opportunities.
• Attend school functions and stay involved in your child's education. Children whose parents are more involved with their education have greater academic success, are better adjusted and are less likely to drop out of school.
• Make a point to learn not just about your child's physical development, but his or her social and emotional development as well. This will help you to notice when your child is experiencing stress, anxiety or other mental health problems that are not normal or typical.

Though most children adjust to their new surroundings within a few weeks, some have greater difficulty. In fact, approximately one in five children has a mental health condition that will impair their school performance and prevent them from reaching their full potential. For these kids, early identification, diagnosis and treatment are essential. Fortunately, studies show that children who receive treatment for mental health problems have better self-esteem and relationships with their peers, better grades and are more likely to graduate.

For additional information on NMHA's Back to School Campaign, visit http://www.nmha.org.

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.