08/23/2025
📚 It's back-to-school time. Does your child have jitters or something more?
➡️ Nurse practitioner Amelia Sponseller shares signs of anxiety and depression in kids and teens—and how parents can help.
Here's what she recommends:
1. Stay Connected: Regular check-ins with your child create a safe space for them to share feelings. Encourage them to express their feelings, and listen actively without judgement. Ask open-ended questions like, “What was the hardest part of your day?” or “Has anything at school been bothering you?”
2. Observe Behavior Over Time: Tough moments or days may happen here or there, but it’s important to watch for consistent changes in mood, energy, or behavior lasting more than two weeks. Keep track of sleep patterns, appetite, school performance, and social interactions.
3. Normalize Mental Health Conversations: Let your child know it’s okay to feel anxious or sad, and that seeking help is a sign of strength - not weakness.
4. Seek Professional Help: If symptoms persist or interfere with daily life despite reassurance and support, consult your child’s primary care provider or a licensed mental health clinician. When parents call me with concerns about their kids’ mental health, I make sure to see them promptly. Therapy, school support services, lifestyle changes, or medications may be part of their treatment plan.
Thanks, Amelia! Read her full column her: https://scarboroughliving.net/category/wellness/
