I hate to say it everyone, but brat summer is coming to an end. Whether this summer was a whirlwind, relaxing, or a little bit of both, we hope you took some time for you. If coming back to school seems a little scary (or if you’re supporting someone who is going back to school and THAT feels a little scary) then this article is for you.&nbsp;We are going to run through some student mental health resources that you can use if you or someone you love is tackling going back to school. Some key resources we won’t touch on in this article are school-specific resources- but these are super important as well! Many schools will have counselors and programs. Make sure you ask an administrator for more information.&nbsp;Let’s get into it!<h2>Wellness Check</h2>As school starts to get hectic, it is important that you have a way to check in with your mental health in school. We created a little wellness list for you to use as your schedule picks up.&nbsp;Students and Mental Health: Wellness List<ul><li>Prioritize sleep- This may be tough as a student, but it is so important to know when to shut down the laptop and get some sleep.</li><li>Fuel your body (and brain!)- Making sure you’re getting enough to eat is not only important for your body, but even your brain functions better when you’ve had a nourishing meal</li><li>Stay hydrated- This is similar to the above point- drinking water helps your brain and body in tip top shape</li><li>Take breaks from studying- To tackle your work, you have to keep your brain fresh. To do so, it’s important to take breaks.&nbsp;</li></ul>It is also important to manage your stress as you start school. Here are a few tips to keep your stress under control by staying on top of your school work:<ul><li>Get organized with a planner or digital calendar to stay on top of assignments, exams, and extracurricular commitments.</li><li>Explore different study methods to find what works best for you! Trial and error often has the best results</li><li>Build relationships with professors and teaching assistants. They can help answer any questions you have</li><li>Explore tutoring or academic coaching resources at your school if you need extra support in specific subjects.</li></ul><h2>Schools and Mental Health Support</h2>Between the demands of coursework, extracurricular commitments, and navigating social dynamics, the stresses of student and mental health life can quickly become overwhelming. Fortunately, many colleges and universities offer mental health counselors in school through on-campus services to help their students prioritize wellness. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the resources available through your school’s health and wellness center. These offices often have licensed therapists available for individual or group sessions at little to no cost for enrolled students.&nbsp;On-campus counselors can provide referrals to off-campus providers in the local area if you’re seeking a different type of approach. We have a whole blog post about what to do while waiting for a therapist <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.peers.net/2024/04/04/what-to-do-while-waiting-for-a-therapist/">here</a>! We also have a list of resources <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.peers.net/resource-links/">here</a> that will help you get matched with the right therapist.&nbsp;If therapy is not your style, you can always check out peer support. Peer support is when you connect with someone who has gone through similar mental health challenges as you. Professional peer supporters are trained to help you navigate whatever mental health challenge you may be facing- without the pressure of a therapy appointment. You can check out our peer support service<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://peers.net/"> here!</a>Don’t hesitate to reach out – taking that initial step to seek support is a sign of self-care, not weakness. Your mental health deserves attention, and there are professionals ready to provide the guidance and tools you need to thrive!<h2>Resource Links:</h2>Below are different mental health resource links for students going back to school. We split these resources up into two options: one for students and one for loved ones. You can browse the different links and see if any of them are best for you.&nbsp;For Students<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mhanational.org/youth-tech">Mental Health America Back to School Toolkit</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/what-you-can-do">Information on How to Get Help with Bullies</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://stevefund.org/resources/knowledge-center/#youth-healing-space">The Steve Fund Back to School Toolkit</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/college-mental-health-toolkit/">Mental Health Coalition Tips for College Students</a></li><li>You can also ask your school counselor for mental health programs in schools for more resources fit to your community!</li></ul>For Loved Ones<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://mhanational.org/youth-tech/protecting-child-online">Mental Health America Protecting Children Online</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/school">The Kids Mental Health Foundation</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.understood.org/en/articles/supporting-kids-mental-health-as-they-go-back-to-school">Understood.org</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/back-to-school-mental-health-roadmap/">The Mental Health Coalition</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/back-to-school-mental-health-roadmap/">Everyday Health Back to School Tips</a></li></ul>If you’re going back to school, let us be the first to tell you that you are going to be amazing. Taking care of your mental health while in school is crucial to feeling your best! If you are supporting someone in school, knowing what’s available for mental health support, whether that be through a mental health program in schools or resources outside of school.Good luck this school year and you are going to crush it.

Hannah Johns

Back to School Resources

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