As students in the Denver metro area return to school this month—mostly for in-person learning—many families are filled with fears, anxieties, and concerns. Kids and parents have a shared anxiety about the continued uncertainty COVID-19 creates for the school year, especially with the new variant. Elementary-school students cannot get vaccinated yet, so they are at greater risk for contraction. 

Through our KidSuccess and International KidSuccess school-based mental health programs, JFS places therapists in 14 schools to provide free mental health services to students and their families. JFS therapists work with students one-on-one, in group therapy, and in whole classroom groups. They work closely with their teachers and guardians to provide the best support possible and provide students with a friendly face and a safe space. 

What Our Therapists Are Hearing About Going Back to School

Seren Waldman, LPC, KidSuccess therapist, says, “Beyond the anxiety about COVID that we all have, a lot of kids are simply anxious about going back to school in general. It can be overwhelming and scary to start the school year with a new teacher, not knowing all the kids in their class, etc. For kids going to middle or high school, a lot of students have anxieties about the transition to a new school, finding or making new friends, worries about getting lost, or learning how to use a locker.”

For parents, Seren adds, “I think that the biggest anxieties are still related to COVID and the uncertainty that this year brings. It is always a big deal starting a new school year and worrying about if kids will make friends and get along with their teachers, but this year brings added challenges.”

“Fifth-grade students are worried about the transition to middle school, shares Christina Gomez, LMFT, a JFS therapist in two Denver elementary schools. “Other students are expressing some anxiousness surrounding being in a higher grade and not fully believing they are to grade level due to lack of consistency last year. In addition, parents are concerned about their children adjusting back to a normal school schedule with expectations of grade level, capacity to complete work, and demonstrate a healthy in-class engagement.”

Matthew Newbury, LCSW, a JFS Mental Health Specialists psychotherapist, says, “The common theme I’m seeing with the kids I work with is that they desperately want to go back to in-person learning, mainly for the socialization. My clients feel so isolated from their friends and their caring teachers.”

Tips for Families

• As your kids prepare to go back to school, focus on what is within your control, such as continuing to wear a mask at school and to wash hands frequently. Focusing on what you can control will help children feel less anxious. 

• Normalize your children’s anxieties and let them know it is OK to be nervous and unsure about this year.

• Give your kids the space to express themselves and help them work through some of their worries.

• Start communication with your child’s teachers and school staff early in the year so you can be well-informed around policies and procedures at the school, and be kept abreast of your student’s mood and level of engagement.

• Have socialization back-up plans. If students end up learning remotely at some point during the year, find ways for children to socialize with friends online or safely play outside in person.

• Encourage kids to personalize their masks to represent their personality.

• Urge kids to get in the habit of verbally checking in when their friends’ emotions are hidden behind their masks—a skill we should all have regardless of a pandemic.

How KidSuccess Therapists Can Help in Schools

Christina says, “Working in the school setting allows for deeper awareness into students’ academic environment, social skills and settings, external factors that influence their emotions, and additional insight to understand the full picture of what’s happening in my clients’ lives.”

She strives to offer support in whatever avenues the students and families allow. Christina explains, “I normalize what each student and family is experiencing, their thoughts and emotions surrounding coming back to school, COVID fears, anxieties surrounding academic achievement, etc. I explore with families to identify in what capacity they would like for JFS to support them, and then provide information for them to access appropriate resources. I continue to encourage the sharing of personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings so we as a community can support one another. I truly believe that all kids should have the opportunity to have a safe space to trust and share what’s going on with them.”

Adrianna Groetsema, LSW, KidSuccess therapist, adds, “I recommend that children and adolescents should see a therapist when they are having a difficult time getting through their day, or when they need someone to talk to about what is going on at home, at school, or to help with internal struggles. They can see a therapist proactively to work on emotional regulation and coping skills or in response to an adverse experience. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate against age so, even the youngest kids can have anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, etc. that impacts their functioning and emotional well-being, at home and at school.”

Adrianna also suggests that parents reach out to their child’s school administrators. “Talk about your child’s emotional and behavioral concerns and they can share what supports are available in the school.” She also recommends checking out the Child-Mind Institute for resources about mental health diagnoses and treatment options.

If you or your child want to discuss fears and anxieties about returning to school, reach out to our Central Intake Specialists at 720.248.4701 or seek out your child’s school therapist.