Supporting Students’ Mental Health this Back-to-School Season

As students return to classrooms this fall, many bring with them more than just backpacks and school supplies—they carry the emotional weight of uncertainty, stress, and lingering effects of the past few years. The back-to-school season, once marked by excitement and fresh starts, now also highlights the urgent need to prioritize student mental health.

Recent data reveals a troubling rise in mental health challenges among children and adolescents. These issues don’t just affect students’ well-being; they impact attendance, academic performance, and long-term development. As educators, families, and mental health professionals, we have a shared responsibility to create environments where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Supporting students and their mental health begins with making small changes. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies for supporting students’ mental health, spotlight recent legislative efforts like mental health days, and highlight tools and resources that can help schools and families navigate this critical time.

Breaking Down the Current Landscape of Student Mental Health

The mental health of students has become a growing concern across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency room visits for mental health-related issues increases dramatically in recent years for children and adolescents. The numbers had been on the rise before 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic only intensified these issues by disrupting routines, isolating students from peers, and increasing stress at home.

Even as schools return to in-person learning, the emotional aftershocks remain. Many students are still adjusting to academic expectations, social dynamics, and the pressure to “catch up,” all while managing their mental health. While the rates of reported mental health disturbances peaked in 2020, they have continued to remain high in the years that followed. This data reflects more than just statistics—it represents students struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional challenges that can hinder their ability to learn and thrive.

One visible symptom of this crisis is chronic absenteeism. Students who are overwhelmed or unsupported may avoid school altogether, leading to a cycle of disengagement and falling behind. Rather than relying on academic interventions alone, addressing these challenges demands a holistic approach that prioritizes emotional well-being as a foundation for learning.

Seeking Solutions: Legislative and School-Based Responses to the Student Mental Health Crisis

In recent years, several states have taken meaningful steps to recognize and support student mental health through legislation. States like Illinois, Oregon, California, and Utah now allow students to take mental health days—excused absences specifically designated for emotional and psychological well-being. These policies acknowledge that mental health is just as important as physical health and empower students to prioritize self-care without stigma or penalty.

Mental health days offer students a chance to rest, reflect, and reset. They also send a powerful message: that schools value the whole student, not just academic performance. When implemented thoughtfully, these policies can reduce burnout, improve attendance, and foster a culture of openness around mental health.

Beyond legislation, schools themselves are increasingly adopting proactive approaches. Many are integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into daily instruction, training staff to recognize signs of distress, and creating safe spaces where students feel heard and supported. These efforts are essential in building a school climate that promotes resilience and emotional wellness.

Curbing the Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

In addition to policy changes like mental health days, schools are increasingly grappling with the impact of social media on student mental health. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer creative outlets and peer support, they also contribute to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, especially among adolescents. Students often use social media as their primary form of social interaction, which can lead to unhealthy patterns of comparison, disrupted sleep, and emotional dysregulation.

In response, some states and districts have begun implementing digital wellness education, limiting device use during school hours, and offering counseling focused on media literacy and emotional resilience. These efforts aim to help students develop healthier relationships with technology and recognize when their online habits may be affecting their mental health.

As we move into a new school year, it’s vital for educators and administrators to stay informed about these policies and consider how they can be adapted or expanded within their own communities.

Practical Strategies for Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis

Supporting student mental health requires more than awareness; it demands action. Educators and school leaders are uniquely positioned to foster environments where students feel safe, valued, and emotionally supported. Here are several practical strategies schools can implement this back-to-school season:

Create Safe and Inclusive Spaces

Classrooms should be places where students feel seen and heard. This means cultivating a culture of respect, empathy, and belonging. Teachers can set the tone by modeling positive behavior, encouraging open dialogue, and celebrating diversity.

Train Staff to Recognize Warning Signs

Professional development focused on mental health equips educators to identify early signs of distress—such as withdrawal, irritability, or changes in academic performance—and respond appropriately. Schools can partner with mental health professionals to offer ongoing training and support.

Integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL programs help students develop skills like emotional regulation, empathy, and resilience. Embedding SEL into daily instruction—through activities, discussions, and reflective exercises—can strengthen students’ ability to cope with stress and build healthy relationships.

Establish Clear Support Protocols

Schools should have well-defined pathways for mental health support, including access to counselors, school psychologists, and referral systems. When students know where to turn for help, they’re more likely to seek it.

Provide Reliable Tools and Resources for Staff

Students often spend more of their waking hours at school than at home, leaving much of the responsibility to address any noticeable mental health issues on school staff such as guidance counselors and osychologists. Equipping school psychologists with the right resources, such as evidence-based psychological assessment tools, can make a major difference in providing students with personalized care that leads to improved outcomes.

Encourage Peer Support and Connection

Peer-led initiatives, such as wellness clubs or mentoring programs, allows students to better understand and support one another. These programs foster community and reduce stigma around mental health conversations, creating a healthy environment where students feel comfortable discussing their issues more openly and seeking help when needed.

By implementing these strategies, schools can move beyond reactive measures and build a proactive framework that nurtures student well-being throughout the academic year.

Empowering Students and Families

While schools play a central role in supporting student mental health, families are equally vital partners in this effort. Empowering students and their caregivers with knowledge, tools, and open communication can create a strong foundation for emotional well-being both at school and at home. This begins with:

Open Communication

Encouraging honest conversations about mental health helps reduce stigma and fosters trust. Schools can facilitate this by hosting family workshops, sharing mental health resources, and maintaining regular communication between educators and caregivers.

Mental Health Literacy

Teaching students to understand and manage their emotions is key to long-term resilience. Programs that promote mental health literacy—such as recognizing symptoms of anxiety or depression, knowing when to seek help, and practicing self-care—equip students with lifelong skills.

Family Support Resources

Providing families with access to counseling services, community programs, and digital wellness tools ensures that support extends beyond the classroom. Schools can also offer guidance on navigating social media use, managing stress, and creating routines that promote emotional balance.

Student Autonomy and Voice

Empowering students to advocate for their own mental health—whether by requesting a mental health day, joining a peer support group, or speaking with a counselor—helps build confidence and self-awareness. When students feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to engage and succeed.

By fostering strong partnerships between schools and families, we can create a holistic support system that nurtures students’ mental health throughout the school year and beyond.

Making Mental Health a Priority this Back-to-School Season and Beyond

As the new school year begins, supporting students’ mental health must be a top priority. The challenges students face—ranging from academic pressure to social media stress—require thoughtful, proactive responses from educators, families, and communities. By embracing policies like mental health days, integrating social-emotional learning, and leveraging tools like those offered by PAR, schools can create environments where students feel safe and warranted to succeed.

Mental health is not a distraction from learning—it’s a foundation for it. When students are emotionally well, they’re better equipped to engage, grow, and thrive. Let’s make this back-to-school season one where mental health is not just acknowledged, but actively nurtured.