It’s common for students to feel jittery as back-to-school approaches, signalling a return to busy schedules, social pressures and academic expectations.
But after years of worsening mental health nationwide, especially among Canadian youth, Toronto support workers say return-to-school anxiety is on the rise — and that parents should take extra care during this first week back.
“Over the last six years, we have noticed more reach-outs to our social workers from parents, from caregivers and from students,” said Shameen Sandhu, the system leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services at Toronto District School Board.
While that’s partly due to a push for more open conversations about mental health in schools, Sandhu continued, factors like increasing social media use and economic uncertainty have contributed to more students dreading the return to class on Tuesday.
Here’s a look at why this might be happening, and what parents can do about it.
What’s behind back-to-school anxiety
Back-to-school anxiety is part of a broader surge in mood and anxiety disorders across Canada, but especially among youth. Demand for 1Call1Click, which coordinates mental health supports for children, youth and families in eastern Ontario, rose by 69 per cent over four years and is projected to be even higher this year.
Think of it from your kid’s perspective: “We’re asking kids to go from summer, where their days may have been relatively structured and comfortable, into a world of schedules, expectations, academics, friendships and social pressures,” said David Brennan, a child and youth worker with the Silverthorn and Etobicoke Collegiate Institutes.
“We can’t necessarily look at back-to-school anxiety as one single issue. Kids are coming back with very different experiences, needs and levels of resilience,” Brennan continued. “For some students, the transition is exciting. For others, the expectations of school — academically, socially and organizationally — can feel overwhelming.”
Meanwhile, increasing social media usage and screen time are affecting how children develop socially, said Diana Brecher, a clinical psychologist at Toronto Metropolitan University. For many young kids, “they’re not as comfortable in the playground as they are on their phones.
“But when we’re on the playground, we actually learn all kinds of skills about compromise, cooperation and develop emotional intelligence like being able to read the room,” Brecher said. “And if you’re not engaging, then you don’t develop those skills as well.”
Social media usage tends to increase as kids age, which can negatively affect students as they enter high school and are figuring out their identities, Brecher continued. “When you’re a teenager, there’s a lot concern around judgment and comparing yourself to others — and that’s amplified through social media.”
At the same time, kids today may be facing greater pressures than previous generations, said Dr. Mohamed Attia, a psychiatrist at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. “There’s a lot of (uncertainty) around where the world is heading economically, and where kids should really be focusing their educational focus,” he explained.
Meanwhile, teens are being bombarded by news stories of wars, the climate crisis and political instability around the globe, which can foment “existential worry” about the future, Attia continued.
How can parents better support their kids?
Experts advise parents and caregivers to take it slow and ensure their kids are feeling supported during that first week back, when they’re still adjusting to new routines, teachers and social dynamics.
Caregivers don’t need to eliminate their child’s anxiety on the first day, Brennan said: “Their job is to help their child feel capable of managing it.”
He recommends focusing on three things: predictability, connection and confidence. “Get the routine established, make sure the child knows what to expect and talk about any specific concerns they have,” he said. “If possible, visit the school beforehand or do a practice run.”
If your child is feeling anxious, listen without dismissing their concerns. “Instead of saying ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine,’ try asking ‘What part are you most worried about?’” Brennan said. “Once you understand the concern, you can help them develop a plan.”
Sandhu adds that when asking how your kid’s day went, consider sharing some of the worries and anxieties you’re personally facing: “That’s mentorship in a way… so kids can relate to the adults in their lives, like ‘wow, I’m not the only one feeling this.’”
Is your child refusing to go to school?
This can happen from time to time. What’s important is to avoid turning it into a “battle of wills,” Brennan said. Instead of becoming punitive, we need to understand why this is happening.
“Refusing school may be the behaviour we are seeing, but it may not be the actual problem,” he explained. “There could be anxiety, bullying, academic struggles, social difficulties, a learning need, perfectionism or something else happening that the child doesn’t yet have the words to explain.”
Brennan advises involving the school early and developing a plan together with their teacher, guidance counsellor and other supports. “The most important part is having the voice of the student in that plan,” he said.
Avoiding school cannot be the long-term solution, Brennan said: “If staying home consistently becomes the way a child manages anxiety, returning to school can become even harder.”
It’s normal for kids to feel a bit of anxiety around school. But if it’s reached the point where it’s affecting daily functioning, it may be time to involve a medical professional, Attia added. If needed, a family doctor or primary care provider could connect your child with a youth psychologist or counsellor to discuss next steps.
“Keep an eye on red flags — if it’s been weeks and weeks of increased worry, disjointed sleep, finding that your kids are not socializing or wanting to go back to school, that raises the suspicion that maybe this is more than stress,” he said. “Maybe there’s something more serious going on.”
With files from the Canadian Press
