“I just don’t want to go.”
It’s a phrase parents often hear at the start of the school year. But when it comes with headaches, stomachaches, tears, or silence, it may be more than just back-to-school jitters. It could be a sign of something deeper: anxiety or depression.

A major 2025 study from JAMA Pediatrics confirms what many families already feel—youth mental health has been in trouble for years. Between 2016 and 2022 (before COVID-19), anxiety in children aged 6–17 jumped from 7.1% to 10.6%. Depression rose from 3.2% to 4.6%. Those numbers are higher today, and many parents are left wondering: how can I protect my child?

Let’s break it down.

📈 The Rising Tide of Mental Distress

The research shows mental health concerns outpaced other childhood illnesses like asthma or migraines. Conditions like ADHD remained steady, while internalizing disorders—such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal—climbed. And while the pandemic deepened the problem, these trends were already surging due to:

• 📚 Academic pressure and over-scheduling
  
  
• 📱 Social media comparisons and cyberbullying
  
  
• 💬 Increased loneliness and social isolation
  
  
• 💔 Family instability or financial stress
  
  
• ⛔ Limited access to counseling services
  
  

As children head back into classrooms, cafeterias, and social circles, these stressors return too—sometimes amplified.

👀 What Parents Should Watch For

Kids don’t always say “I’m anxious” or “I feel depressed.” Instead, signs may look like:

• Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches, fatigue)
  
  
• Avoidance of school, sports, or social events
  
  
• Irritability or outbursts
  
  
• Withdrawal from friends or family
  
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
  
• Drop in grades or interest in school
  
  

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

🧠 How to Talk to Your Child About Mental Health

• Create calm, judgment-free space
  
  
• Ask open-ended questions: “How are you feeling about going back to school?”
  
  
• Normalize feelings: “It’s okay to feel nervous. A lot of kids do.”
  
  
• Avoid dismissive phrases like “You’ll be fine” or “Don’t be dramatic”
  
  
• Let them know help is available—and that asking for it is brave
  
  

🛠️ What Parents Can Do Right Now

1. Schedule a well-child visit
   Many pediatricians now screen for anxiety and depression during check-ups.
   
   
2. Talk to teachers and school counselors
   Share concerns and learn what mental health supports your school offers.
   
   
3. Establish consistent routines
   Predictable mornings, bedtimes, and homework blocks reduce stress.
   
   
4. Limit screen time
   Encourage real-world connection. Unplug at meals and before bedtime.
   
   
5. Model healthy coping
   Kids watch how we handle stress. Practice calm, problem-solving behavior.
   
   
6. Know the red flags for help
   If your child talks about hopelessness, self-harm, or expresses a desire to die, seek immediate professional help. Call or text 988 in the U.S. for mental health crisis support.
   
   

🧩 Final Thoughts

Back-to-school season brings excitement, but for many kids, it also brings fear. The rise in youth anxiety and depression is not a parenting failure—it’s a public health issue that requires awareness, connection, and compassionate action. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to show up, ask the questions, and be willing to listen.

Because the most powerful back-to-school supply is a child who feels emotionally safe, seen, and supported.

Sources: JAMA Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Institute of Mental Health, Children’s Hospital of Chicago