While many children may cope with this transition without difficulty or requiring hospital care, BC Children's Hospital (BCCH) clinicians have offered families back-to-school guidance and resources to support them during this time.
“Although most children can deal with worries relating to the start of a new school year, the back-to-school period can be a challenging and emotional time for many children and families”, says Dr. Sharon Smile, division head, Developmental Pediatrics, BCCH. “I strongly encourage parents and caregivers to talk honestly and openly with children in the upcoming weeks and months, validating that feelings of anxiety and other related emotions are normal and can be shared in a healthy and supportive environment. There are many helpful resources and tools available on our website that can help guide these conversations."
Last year, BCCH saw a 150 per cent increase from August to September in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with anxiety symptoms, in addition to a 20 per cent increase in patients presenting with depressive symptoms. Signs that a child or youth may be struggling beyond the norm include: changes in eating patterns, mood swings (withdrawing or atypical behaviour), having academic or social difficulties at school, having an increase in physical ailments, or sleep disruptions. Parents and caregivers are often the best judges of differences in behaviour. BCCH clinicians advise families to keep track of changes which may be valuable information to share with a clinician should they seek care.
When children and teenagers have their physical needs met, this supports good mental health and reduces the risk of serious illness, particularly during respiratory season as children return to the classroom and spend more time indoors. In 2023, BCCH ED saw a 52 per cent increase in patients presenting with cough/congestion symptoms from August to September. During this same period, there was a 105 per cent increase in patients presenting with shortness of breath. Whilst most children do not require significant medical care and have mild to moderate symptoms, it is a valuable reminder to families to use good respiratory season practices, such as hand-washing and keeping children at home if they are unwell.
There are steps that families can take to promote mental and physical wellbeing:
- Create safe and supportive environments: Value and praise your child for their unique strengths, and encourage a healthy and balanced relationship between academics and extra-curricular/social activities.
- Immunizations: These are critical in preventing some serious illnesses. Public health staff may visit your child’s school during the school year to offer certain vaccines which protect not only your child, but your family and the entire school community.
- Developing routines: Supporting a consistent sleeping, eating, and socializing routine and daily physical activity is important for general wellness.
More information and other wellness resources can be found on
our website.
