Back to school is a hard transition for everyone, but it’s especially challenging for children who suffer from social anxiety. And the harsh reality is that the number of kids with social anxiety has skyrocketed in recent years due to the global pandemic, among other obstacles impacting today’s youth.
According to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), published in the American Medical Association’s journal JAMA Pediatrics, a significant increase in children diagnosed with mental health conditions has been reported.
Between 2016 and 2020, “the number of children ages 3-17 years diagnosed with anxiety grew by 29 percent and those with depression by 27 percent,” the study found.
Social anxiety is far too common among kids and teens. These issues are exacerbated during back-to-school, a time full of transitions, often overwhelming environments, and stressful coming-of-age challenges. And some children will be more affected than others. According to Dr. Jennifer Louie, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, “kids who already have anxiety are more prone to being more anxious going back [to school].”
So, what can parents do? While there is no quick fix to social anxiety, there are some tips that parents can consider to make back-to-school time less difficult.
Communicate Early and Often
Talk about what to expect, what to prepare for, and how your kids might feel. Address potential emotions and how to handle them, where to seek support and help, and what to do if they need a moment to breathe or check in with their anxiety. Guidance counselors, teachers, trusted friends, and, of course, parents are all excellent resources for your kids.
Set Up Regular Check-ins at School
Set up regular sessions with a guidance counselor or school psychologist to help your child adjust and proactively work through social anxiety at school. Check-in sessions shouldn’t only occur when anxiety impacts your son or daughter; they should happen routinely before an incident. And make sure you check in with your child at home as well.
Start Slow by Reconnecting With a Few Friends
The sudden reconnection with friends and schoolmates can be overwhelming for children who suffer from anxiety, so start slow. Reach out to a few trusted friends and a favorite teacher or counselor and build (or re-build) those connections first.
Give Them a Safe Space
If your child does experience social anxiety while at school, make sure they have a safe space to go when they need a moment to center themselves, breathe, and work through their emotions. And if they need to be taken out of school until they are better, be prepared to act. “Even though in-person learning is usually best for their physical and mental health. Overall, it could take a while for them to adapt back. Kids are resilient, but they also have emotions without the maturity to process those emotions in a healthy way,” argues Dr. Kyle Monk, a pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai.
Seek Expert Help When Needed
Don’t be afraid to seek outside help. “If after the first month or so, your child continues to show distress around school that is not improving or if the child’s symptoms are worsening, it may be time to seek an evaluation from a psychologist or psychiatrist,” explains Erika Alana Chiappini, Ph.D., who specializes in the treatment of childhood anxiety and related disorders at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.