Homewood Health – Back to School
Back to School – Additional Support for Your Child
Back-to-school previously signaled a time of renewal and change, exciting most students and families as they prepared for the new school year. In 2020, that excitement has been coupled with anxiety and in some instances fear for parents, kids, teachers and others who work in and around schools.
Although physical distancing and wearing face masks may be more common practices for kids outside of schools, there are notable differences and procedures in school policies from province to province and across different regions and municipalities. These options may be more easily understood by parents and teachers, but may be confusing to young people. Children and youth may be apprehensive, anxious or even fearful of returning to an environment of uncertainty and evolving changes. These feelings can be amplified for younger students or with pre-existing medical or mental health concerns. Students may be highly sensitive if the family unit has been directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19.
Homewood Health, in collaboration with Kids Help Phone, is pleased to offer additional support for Members and staff, and their children, who may be experiencing fear, anxiety, or difficulty related to the start of the new school year and the complexities raised by COVID-19. Attached you will find a document to share with young people in your lives who may be experiencing stress, anxiety or trepidation about their return to school.
As always, help and resources are available to you by contacting Homewood Health at Homeweb.ca, at 1-800-663-1142, or locally at (709) 754-3007-24 hours a day.