C hildren and teens experience some of
the most important moments of their lives
at school. It's where they spend two-thirds
of their waking hours. Of course, school
can be stressful, too - and not just because
of pop quizzes and science projects.
“Stress isn't the same for all
children, and it impacts every one
differently," said Dr. Cheryl S. Al-
Mateen, medical director of the
Virginia Treatment Center for
Children. "In fact, in some cases
this stress can even be traumatic. If
left unnoticed, it can lead to real
mental health concerns, including
depression, anxiety, self-harm and
even substance abuse."
Everyone deserves to feel
comfortable talking about mental
health - it plays an important role
in a child's overall health.
Sometimes, however, topics around
mental health can feel
overwhelming or confusing for
parents. Many may nd it difcult
to spot the difference between traditional school stress and the possibility of potential trauma. Fortunately, there
are many resources available to help. As a start, Dr. Al-Mateen has ve recommendations to support parents in
understanding school issues, helping children cope and tackling potential problems.