VERONA, Wis. (WMTV) – “Back to school” means different things to everyone, and for many students, returning to the classroom after summer break can be daunting.
Gail Murray, mental health educator and coach at UnityPoint Health Meritor, explained that it's difficult for people to adjust during this time.
“For many of us, summer vacation is over and we can do what we want, when we want,” Murray said. “About 90 percent of the students who come into our clinic say school is one of their biggest stressors.”
Murray said the ways in which school becomes a stressor are complicated because there are so many different aspects to school.
“A lot of patients come in saying they're just overwhelmed.”
Murray was a public school teacher for 32 years before becoming a mental health coach, and she said back-to-school stress is something she sees frequently among students and teachers.
Although each grade level presented challenges, Murray said her goals as a teacher and parent were always the same.
“Our goal is always to teach kids to be resilient adults, but if they're not taught, they're not going to do it.”
It's a goal shared by UnityPoint Health-Meriter teacher Shaney Andler.
Andler is also the author of “Back Pocket,” a book for teens that he wrote after watching his son, Alex, struggle with severe anxiety in middle school. The book outlines all the mental health strategies they've found effective.
“We worked closely with Alex to help him develop coping skills. He's 24 now and is doing great. He developed coping skills very quickly.”
It's a success story she was eager to share with others who want to overcome stress, and Andler says the book is a useful resource for everyone.
“It's very fair for kids of all ages and backgrounds. It really works for everyone,” Andler said.
These are proven, simple solutions.
“It's nothing groundbreaking, but it's structured in a way that kids can really understand,” Andler said.
She added that when children start experiencing mental health issues, they often don't know where to go or feel uncomfortable asking for help.
She advises parents and teachers to “treat it as a normal part of growing up, something that happens to a lot of people,” so it might be less frightening for your child to experience it.
Her book, Back Pocket, aims to continue reducing the stigma around mental health and equip the next generation with the skills to overcome stress.
“Back Pocket” is now being used in many classrooms across Wisconsin.
Andler said he's noticed parents also say they use these skills frequently, so he wrote a “Back Pocket For Parents” version of the book, out Monday.
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