TOLEDO, Ohio — While the start of a new school year can be exciting, it can also be a stressful time.
That's why a local mental health office known as A Peace Of Mind Wellness is working to connect families to the resources they need.
The health experts pointed out how overwhelming it can be for parents to prepare a child for a new school year.
Jennifer Fackelman, the owner of A Peace of Mind Wellness, said the financial burden of the back-to-school season can have a negative impact on your mental health. The experts said shopping for the supply lists and school clothes can raise your chances of having anxiety during this time.
But experts said they believe the stressors are manageable, and they are working with families to create healthy plans during the school year.
"We provide school-based services, day treatments, after school and more intensive treatments, one-on-one therapy for adults, children, and families and case management," Fackelman said. "We also started a parenting class, so we do a little bit of everything."
And it gets stressful for kids too.
Fackelman said a few common stressors include:
- Anxiety when meeting new people and making new friends
- Higher levels of bullying
- Forming new and different relationships
- Experiencing bullying and teasing
- Introduction to new classes
While the stress is there, A Peace of Mind Wellness said they coach easy ways to build onto your mental health. And you can start by taking easy first steps like giving yourself and your children breaks from social media.
"Take time away from the screens. That's the biggest thing," said Fackelman. "You know when our kids are here, they are not on screens. That's super important, getting them away from that. You know when we were younger, we went home, and our bullies didn't follow us home and now the bullies are everywhere. You know so that's our biggest thing, is put down the phones."
When unique challenges arise during the school year, the experts encourage the public not to go it alone.
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