As students return to the classroom, mental health teacher warns of increased stress | CBC News

A new school year can be a time of new beginnings, but it can also bring more stress to students, says a mental health educator who encourages people to take care of themselves.

Sarah Jones, a child and youth educator at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Newfoundland and Labrador, says the new school year comes with a change in routines, more responsibilities and more work on social pressures that can cause stress. of the mind.

“It can be very scary to have that change. Even a change in environment can throw you off,” Jones told CBC News.

He said people should not expect to adapt to those changes immediately, adding that there are many things students can do to manage their mental health.

“Focusing on self-care, which doesn’t mean eating enough, drinking enough, sleeping enough. It can also be exercise, mindfulness, activities like yoga, meditation, breathing, investing in hobbies, finding creative outlets,” he said.

It can also include distancing themselves from social media as well as setting reasonable expectations for what they can achieve, Jones said.

“Understand that you can’t do everything perfectly and no one can expect you to – so try to be there for yourself and support yourself even in difficult times.”

There are also resources available, Jones said, such as the 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as the Lifewise Provincial Warm Line and the gApp Bridge.

Jones said the Canadian Mental Health Association also has a list of educational resources that can help people recognize the early signs of mental health problems and give people tools to manage their mental health. and improve coping skills.

“We have study groups and we think these really work to create safe and supportive environments where people can learn and thrive and grow,” said Jones.

Stress in parents

Students aren’t the only ones who are more stressed than usual.

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently offered advice on the state of mental health of parents, citing a 2023 survey from the American Psychological Association that found 48 percent of parents and caregivers responded that they were overwhelmed.

Janine Hubbard, a registered psychologist in St. John’s, said parents face more scrutiny which can lead to more stress.

“Being a parent is one of those thankless things that a lot of people judge. A lot of people have definitions of how you should be a parent,” said Hubbard.

There is also a lot of shame directed at parents, said Hubbard, which often stems from comparing how they behave as parents against others.

Hubbard says parents often don’t realize they’re going to be tired if they’re depressed, and she wants them to remember to check in and check in before it becomes a big problem.

Stress affects cognitive function and a person’s ability to multitask, he added.

If a person cannot do many things the way he used to do, he should not be ashamed of it and use it as a sign that he needs help.

“Not to make ‘guilt and shame’ about it — but to use that as a sign that maybe there’s a lot going on,” Hubbard said.

Parents who struggle with depression can also affect their children’s physical and mental health, even into adulthood, Hubbard said.

“On the lighter end of things, what we tend to see is – kids don’t develop good coping skills if their parents don’t have good coping strategies,” he said.

Download our The free CBC News app to sign up for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador alerts. Click here to visit our landing page.