It is back-to-school time! As a parent, it's common to feel stressed about your child's experience when they start school. It's natural to worry about their anxieties and how they will cope. However, we must remember that we can't control everything happening to children and teens. What we can do is prepare ourselves and control how we respond to it. Keep reading for tips from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) on your child's mental health and technology use and for resources from Mental Health America for managing this transition.

Growing evidence links heavy social media use with increased risks for anxiety and depression for all people. These mental health issues can, in turn, impact a student’s school performance, such as difficulties focusing, studying, or even simply attending school. Caregivers and school personnel need to understand what is happening on social media and how to reduce its negative impact.

Virtual spaces are everywhere in today’s world and have become a constant presence in the lives of young people, offering social connectedness and the ease of instant communication. But the online world of selfies and social media also brings challenging situations that can negatively impact youth mental health.

The pressure to maintain a perfect online image, fueled by constant comparison to peers, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Young people may experience fear of missing out (FOMO) when they watch the highlight reels of their friends’ lives, bringing on feelings of loneliness and isolation. In addition, exposure to cyberbullying and negative comments can take a toll on their self-esteem, putting them at risk of experiencing depression.

As the new school year begins, parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, counselors, and school administrators must work together to educate and support young people in navigating responsibly the challenges of a digital world while fostering a healthy sense of self-worth and resilience.

The new Mental Health America toolkit, “Selfies, Social, and Screens: Navigating Virtual Spaces for Youth,” provides educational resources that tackle these topics. For caregivers and school personnel, they cover the basics of what youth are doing online, how online activity can impact mental health, tips for talking to youth about complicated feelings they may experience, and how to help young people reduce the potentially harmful effects of social media. The toolkit also includes information and tips written exclusively for youth. Whether young people read the information on their own or discuss the topics with an adult, they must understand that they are not alone when they experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness and that help and support are available.

Free, confidential, anonymous screening tools are available at mhascreening.org for youth and parents concerned about their mental health. After taking a screen, results and tips for the next steps are provided. For even more information, youth and adults can check out MHA’s book, “Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Challenges,” which was written for young people to provide clear, honest, and reassuring information about the most common mental health conditions.

Sometimes conversations about mental health can reveal a person has thoughts or plans to hurt themselves or others. If this happens, they are in crisis and need help promptly. If you think a child or teen is in immediate danger of taking suicidal action, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Trained crisis counselors can help find local resources and suggest the next steps.

Bauman Consulting Group (BCG) is an experienced consulting agency specializing in the public and social sectors. Contact us today if your organization is interested in hosting a group for MHFA. Our certified instructors offer in-person, online, and hybrid training models for MHFA Corrections Professionals, Fire/EMS, Public Safety, and all Adults.

At BCG, we are committed to supporting our community and offer discounts for in-person training to nearby organizations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Montgomery, Alabama. As a bonus, we provide two free MHFAs per year to non-profit/school organizations. If your group is interested in the opportunity, contact us now for consideration. These spots fill quickly!