As students across Wisconsin head back to school, the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health is reminding families and educators that mental health is an important part of academic success.
OCMH says children need to feel safe, supported and like they belong in order to learn effectively. Students spend about 1,000 hours in school each year, giving schools an important opportunity to create welcoming and supportive environments.
OCMH Director Linda Hall says school is consistently identified by kids as their number one source of stress. She encourages schools and families to help young people develop healthy coping skills to manage homework, busy schedules, relationships and other daily pressures.
The agency also highlights student-led wellness programs, which can help young people build connections, develop coping skills, spread positive messages, provide peer support and help prevent suicide.
OCMH says creating welcoming school environments, teaching healthy coping strategies and supporting peer wellness programs are preventative approaches that can protect children’s mental health while also improving their chances for success in school.
Families can find additional back-to-school mental health resources through OCMH, including information on student-led wellness groups and resources from the Child Mind Institute.
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