Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health During Back-to-School Season
- WPA Therapy
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
The end of summer brings a mix of excitement and anxiety for teens getting ready to head back to school. While many teens look forward to reconnecting with friends and jumping into new activities, some may struggle with the overwhelming changes that come with a new school year.
Whether your teen is just starting high school or entering their final year, your support can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can support your teen in developing strong coping skills, and what to do if your teen needs extra support.
Why Back to School Is Stressful for Teens
Younger kids may feel a little nervous about a new teacher or classroom, but teens are often juggling much bigger challenges that can deeply affect their emotional well-being.
Academic pressure
As teens move into higher grades, academic expectations rise. They’re facing harder classes, standardized tests, and the pressure to plan for life after high school. Many teens also take on extracurricular activities or part-time jobs, stretching their schedules even thinner. The fear of falling behind or not meeting expectations can make the end of summer feel like a countdown to increased pressure and stress.
Social changes
Friendships change quickly during the teen years, and going back to school can stir up a lot of anxiety. Worries about fitting in, finding their place, or facing bullying can be major sources of stress for teens. Social media can also amplify these feelings, making teens feel like they're constantly under a microscope, needing to portray themselves positively to others.
Identity and independence
Teens are figuring out who they are and how they fit into the world. This growing need for independence, combined with the structured demands of school, can lead to frustration, rebellion, or withdrawal. Navigating personal values, peer pressure, and expectations from adults can feel overwhelming during this season of change.
Emotional and mental health
For teens already managing anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges, back-to-school season can heighten their symptoms. Changes in routine, new environments, and academic pressure can push them to a tipping point. Without strong coping skills or support systems, even teens who were doing well over the summer might find themselves struggling once school starts again.
Building Strong Coping Skills for Back-to-School Success
Helping teens build strong coping skills can make all the difference as they transition through the back-to-school season. Healthy coping not only eases the immediate stress of the end of summer, but also sets teens up for long-term emotional resilience.
Here’s how you can support your teen in developing strong coping skills:
Encourage open communication: Let your teen know it’s okay to talk about how they’re feeling — the good, the bad, and everything in between. Regular check-ins can help them process stress before it snowballs into something bigger.
Create a predictable routine: Consistency helps teens feel more grounded. Work with your teen to set regular bedtimes, meal times, and homework hours before the back-to-school rush to ease anxiety and boost confidence.
Teach relaxation techniques: Simple tools like deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or even short meditation apps can give teens easy ways to calm themselves when they start to feel overwhelmed.
Promote healthy outlets: Encourage physical activity, creative hobbies, or spending time outside. Exercise and creative expression are powerful ways for teens to release stress and reconnect with themselves.
Model healthy coping: Teens are more likely to adopt coping skills when they see them in action. When parents and caregivers show healthy ways of coping with stress, teens learn that there are positive, effective ways to manage difficult emotions.
Consider professional support: Sometimes, teens need more support, like from a therapist or counselor. Using search terms like “therapy for teens near me” can help you get connected to counselors who specialize in helping young people with things like navigating school stress, anxiety, and life transitions.
Knowing When to Look for Extra Support
While many teens will naturally adjust to the back-to-school season with manageable levels of stress, there are times when anxiety or emotional struggles go beyond what's typical.
If you see any of the following signs in your teen, it’s time to step in and seek additional support:
Mood changes: If your teen is showing signs of prolonged sadness, irritability, or emotional withdrawal that don’t improve after a few weeks, it might indicate something deeper than regular school stress.
Avoidance behavior: If your teen begins avoiding school, extracurriculars, hobbies, or social activities they used to enjoy, it could be a sign of depression.
Declining school performance: A noticeable drop in grades or lack of interest in schoolwork may point to mental health challenges like stress or burnout.
Physical complaints: Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or sleep disturbances without a clear physical cause can be related to emotional distress.
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: If your teen talks about or shows signs of self-harm, or mentions feeling hopeless or suicidal, it’s essential to seek professional help immediately.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you or someone you know is an immediate threat to themselves or others, dial 911.
How Therapy Can Help Teens Thrive
Therapy offers teens a safe space to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of judgment. As the back-to-school season brings new challenges, therapy can help teens develop better coping skills, manage anxiety, and build resilience.
A therapist works with teens to identify their stressors — whether it’s academic pressure, social struggles, or the emotional impact of the end of summer — and teaches practical strategies to navigate them. Over time, therapy can boost self-esteem, improve communication skills, and strengthen emotional regulation, helping teens feel more confident both at school and at home.
With the right support, teens can move through this transitional time with a stronger sense of balance, purpose, and hope for the future.
Therapy for Teens Near Me
If you’re wondering, “How do I find therapy for teens near me?” – you’re not alone. At Westmoreland Psychotherapy Associates, we specialize in helping teens build strong coping skills, manage stress, and feel more confident as they head back to school.
Therapy can give your teen the tools and support they need to thrive. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find the right therapist for your teen. Together, we can make this school year a positive and empowering experience!
