Examining back-to-school anxiety as students head back to the classroom
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A new school year brings new classes, going back to extracurricular activities, and new experiences. For some, however, a new school year could bring anxiety.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, roughly 31.9% of adolescents between 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder. Of those children, an estimated 8.3% have severe impairment.
The University of Utah Health states common things children may worry about are whether their friends will like them if their teachers will like them, getting good grades, going into a new environment, new structure, and new routines.
"Some of the biggest things that they deal with are anxiety that comes up trying to transition back from the summer over to the school year is really hard for a lot of students," Rob Carlson EMDR LCR ACS, Clinical Director of Intermountain Counseling said.
Josiah Javier, a local youth pastor at Zeal Church, believes that part of the problem is related to living up to standards, whether they be self-imposed or put on them by friends, family, or school.
"Some of the things that come to [their] mind is what do my parents think about how I'm doing?" said Javier. "How am I performing for them? How am I performing for my teachers and my coaches, and how am I presenting myself on social media amongst my friends? It feels very performative."
Being liked and living up to expectations aren't the only things students worry about, many stress about the threat of gun violence. According to a 2019 feature from the American Psychological Association, mass shootings topped the list of stressful current events among people 15-19 - members of Generation Z.
One southern Colorado student told KRDO everything changed for her when it came to gun violence after her school experienced a shooting threat. She said she began to think about going to class differently after that.
"It was kind of scary, you know because nobody wants to go to school feeling unsafe or feel like they're going to die just by trying to get an education," Gabrielle Jenkins said. "I constantly have to look around in my classroom areas to come up with the procedure in case a school shooting does ever happen."
While the fears surrounding a new school year can loom large - there are resources out there for students struggling and parents looking to help get their children through difficult times.
- NIMH: Anxiety Disorders
- NIMH: Caring for Your Mental Health
- NIMH: Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- NIMH: Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Anxiety and Depression in Children
If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Read more about getting help.
If you are in immediate distress or are thinking about hurting yourself, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
