02/17/2026
Highlighting Middle School Mental Health
The middle school years, generally ages 10-14, are a time of profound physical, cognitive, emotional, and social change. This amount of change is second only to the amount that happens in infancy.
Known as tweens (between childhood and teenage years), this group of children is managing increased academic responsibilities and shifting social dynamics while fluctuating hormones and identity formation are swirling internally. This often results in hallmark mood swings, according to the latest fact sheet from the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH).
The fact sheet explains that during early adolescence, the brain’s frontal lobe is still developing. Tweens’ cognitive maturity and self-regulation are limited, but their independence and responsibilities are increasing, making them more vulnerable to stressors and adverse events.
“Middle schoolers may have big mood swings and test parental patience, but they are also becoming critical thinkers. They tend to be curious and creative learners who care about the world around them,” said OCMH Director Linda Hall. “To protect middle schoolers well-being, we need to equip them with skills that will allow them to manage stress, forge trusting relationships, and establish positive mental health habits – essentially, the foundation to thrive.”
