DELMARVA - Children and teens from 5 to 17 years of age may visit the emergency department more often during the school year for mental and behavioral health concerns, according to the CDC. The organization said seasonal increases in emergency room visits for certain mental health conditions among school-aged children warrant enhanced awareness about distress symptoms and challenges and stressors found in school environments.
A study completed from January 2018 through June 2023 aimed to identify trends and seasonal patterns for mental and behavioral health conditions among kids. The results showed that, each year, the number and proportion of weekly emergency department visits by kids from 10 to 17 for concerns like depression, stress-related disorders, substance use and self-harm were up twice as high when school was in session than they were in the summers. Younger children, from 5 to 9 years old, also saw visits increase.
The CDC says that poor mental health among children continues to be a substantial public health concern.
"Being mentally healthy in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope and stay resilient when there are problems," said a CDC report. "Social detriments of health, meaning the conditions in the places where children live, learn and play, can add stress and have a negative effect on mental health."
Contributing causes for increased stress at school can include transitioning into the school year or attending a new school, academic performance pressure and testing as well as in-school bullying, according to the CDC. Social anxiety can also lead to worsening mental health.
These conditions and their effects on kids can be seen by school staff members and caretakers when they manifest as disrupting a class, having poor attendance or exhibiting poor academic performance.
Factors that can strengthen one's mental health include having supportive relationships and environments. Receiving support from a faith-based organization can also serve as a protective factor. Additionally, systemic changes that prioritize other needs like physical activity, getting enough sleep and preparing for stress during back-to-school planning or other large schedule changes may help improve mental health.
The CDC also notes that enrolling students in social and emotional learning programs can promote their emotional well-being. These programs provide students with tools to cope with stress and encourage students to seek help when needed.
"Collaboration and coordination, including government, education and community organizations, are needed to promote and prioritize child and adolescent mental health and to avoid placing the responsibility of improvement solely on educational institutions," the study said.
The CDC has resources available for parents, educators and other caregivers who regularly interact with children and teens to learn about signs and symptoms of distress and how to monitor for possible concerns leading up to and during the academic year.