Back-to-School Mental Health Tips from CMHA WW

Aug 14, 2025

As students of all ages – and their families – gear up for back-to-school season, CMHA Waterloo Wellington encourage everyone to prioritize mental health during this time of transition.

Whether returning to a familiar school, starting a new grade, or heading off to post-secondary, this change can bring excitement and anticipation, but it can also cause stress and anxiety.

To help ease the transition, here are some helpful mental health tips:

• Start with a conversation. One of the best ways to support each other is by checking in. Ask open-ended questions to understand how your child, sibling, or friend is feeling. Just listening – without judgment – can create a safe space for them to share worries or ask questions.
• Normalize nervousness. It’s completely normal to feel anxious about returning to school or starting somewhere new – whether it’s kindergarten, high school, or university. Let them know they’re not alone, and validate their feelings, even if you can’t fix the issue. Often, knowing someone understands is enough to start building resilience.
• Reintroduce routines. Gradually transition into school-year routines like consistent meal and snack times, regular bedtimes, and wake-up times. Consider introducing a “screen curfew” to support healthier sleep habits, which benefit everyone’s mental health – kids, teens, and adults alike.
• Get familiar with the space. Visit the schoolyard or playground with younger children, or take a walk to the bus stop or school. For older students, a quick visit to campus or a shopping trip for school supplies can help reduce uncertainty and boost confidence.
• Count down together. Mark the first day of school on a family calendar and build excitement as it approaches. Being mentally and practically prepared can ease anxiety and create a smoother start.

While transitions can create short-term changes to emotions and behaviours, watching for major changes over time when it comes to mental health is important. Shifts in mental health are displayed through outbursts or excessive mood swings, worry leading to stomach and body aches, persistent nightmares and lack of sleep, avoidance of formerly enjoyable activities, becoming unusually quiet or preoccupied, a change in appetite and a significant change in behaviour that is not readily explained.

Back-to-school can be a time of big emotions – and small actions can make a big difference. Let’s support one another with patience, empathy, and openness.

CMHA Waterloo Wellington provides several services for children and youth and their parents/caregivers. The children and youth (0-18 years old) whom we support have mental health and/or developmental challenges. Our services are provided in Guelph and Wellington County. Please click here to learn about our services.