Preparing for Back-to-School Anxiety: Tips for Families and Caregivers

Back-to-school anxiety can affect children, teens, and caregivers. This guide explains how to spot signs of anxiety, prepare for the first day, build confidence, and know when to seek mental health support. 

Young people may worry about schoolwork, friendships, bullying, transportation, new teachers, or finding their way around a new school. Some worries are normal. Mental health support may be needed when anxiety becomes intense or starts to affect sleep, relationships, daily activities, or school attendance.^1,2 

Signs of Back-to-School Anxiety 

Young people do not always say they feel anxious. Stress may show up through changes in their body, mood, or behaviour. 

Possible signs include: 

• Headaches or stomach aches 
• Trouble sleeping 
• Irritability or restlessness 
• Feeling very tired 
• Repeated questions about school 
• Pulling away from family or friends 
• Avoiding school activities 

Ask open questions instead of guessing what is wrong. You could say, “What feels hardest about going back?” or “What would help you feel more ready?” School Mental Health Ontario recommends making space for young people to share both their worries and what they look forward to.¹ 

Make the Return to School More Predictable 

Uncertainty can make anxiety feel stronger. Families can reduce some of that uncertainty before classes begin. 

Start moving bedtimes and mealtimes closer to the school schedule. Pack supplies, check transportation plans, and talk through the first morning.¹ A practice trip to school can also help. Walk the route, find the bus stop, or look at a school map together. 

If a young person is starting at a new school, help them identify where to enter, who to ask for help, and where they can go if they feel overwhelmed.¹ These small details can make the day feel more manageable. 

Build Confidence With Small Steps 

One study of children moving to middle school found that students who felt more capable of handling schoolwork reported fewer worries about the transition.⁴ 

Families can build this confidence by reminding young people of skills they already have. Talk about a past challenge they managed, practice using a locker, or break a large worry into one small task. 

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends supporting young people as they face fears instead of helping them avoid every stressful situation.² A caregiver might say, “I know this feels hard. Let’s choose one step we can practice together.” 

Slow breathing, positive self-talk, and short calming breaks may also help.² 

Keep Caregiver Stress from Taking Over 

Caregivers may also feel worried, especially if a young person has struggled at school before. A study found that parents’ worries about the move to middle school were linked with their children’s worries.⁴ 

You do not need to hide every feeling. Try to speak calmly and focus on what can be planned. Taking care of your own sleep, movement, and social connection may make it easier to offer steady support.¹ 

Work With School and Community Supports 

Strong relationships with family, friends, and teachers are linked with better mental health among young people in Canada.³ Contact the school before classes begin if anxiety may affect attendance, learning, or behaviour.² 

Ask who the young person can approach during the day. Some youth, including transgender and gender-diverse students, may face added stress and need clear signs that school support will be safe and respectful.³ 

Find Youth Mental Health Support in Ontario 

Extra help may be useful when anxiety continues, becomes more intense, or gets in the way of school and daily life.² 

ConnexOntario provides free and confidential service navigation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained specialists can help families find mental health programs based on a young person’s needs, location, language, and service preferences. Youth can also find mental health tools and information through mindyourmind. 

References 

1. School Mental Health Ontario. (2026). How to Help Your Child Have a Mentally Healthy Return to School. https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/tip-sheet-how-to-support-a-mentally-healthy-back-to-school-for-your-child/ 

2. Canadian Paediatric Society. (2022). Anxiety in children and youth: Part 2 – The management of anxiety disorders. https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/anxiety-in-children-and-youth-management 

3. Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025). The Health of Young People in Canada: Focus on Mental Health. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/science-research-data/young-people-canada-focus-mental-health.html 

4. Măirean, C., Zancu, A. S., & Diaconu-Gherasim, L. R. (2022). Children’s anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and intergenerational transmission of worries regarding the transition to middle school. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(4), 1638–1650. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35794814/