What the new term means for your young person’s mental health
The summer that’s been: what the new term means for your young person’s mental health
If your young person has seemed calmer or happier over the past few weeks, that’s genuinely lovely to see, but it doesn’t necessarily mean their anxiety or low mood has actually gone away. It could be said that removing school, often the biggest daily trigger, brings short-term relief rather than real healing, which is exactly why September can bring some of those same difficulties straight back.
As the holidays draw to a close, it’s worth taking a step back to look how your young person is really doing, before the new routine begins.
Looking back: what this summer may have been like for them
Over the past few weeks, you may have seen a much more relaxed young person, which has brought some respite to the household. You may have assumed this meant difficult times were over, and things were on the up. As the holidays draw to a close and the return to routine approaches, taking time to check in with your young person can be really important in understanding how they’re feeling about the weeks ahead.
Their anxiety and concerns have not disappeared, they have simply been parked for a while. It is important to celebrate the positive changes you may have seen over the summer, but prepare for the new set of routines and challenges that may lie ahead.
Routine, sleep and screens
Without the structure of a school day, bedtimes and wakeup times will likely have been later, meals became infrequent and maybe unhealthier, and hours online have crept up. This cannot have been helped, but under the surface this can affect mood, sleep and social interaction with others. As the start of a new term approaches, it’s a good time to check how much of a shift is needed to get back into a routine that your young person is comfortable with.
What to look out for as the new school year begins
Rather than waiting for a crisis and dealing with it then, it’s much better to arm yourself with tools to help notice changes from what’s normal for your young person, especially as the routine of school returns. Withdrawing from family or friends, spending far more time alone in their room, sleeping a lot more than usual, losing interest in things they usually enjoy, or finding everyday tasks harder than they used to. If any of these have crept in over the summer or become apparent into September, then it is good to be armed ready.
Going back to school brings a change all of its own. Even a positive routine can feel hard to step back into after weeks of doing things differently. Early nights, timetables, new uniform, entering sixth form or going to college and new expectations are all returning at once. For some who have now left school they may miss the routine and be wondering what lies next.
For many young people, the sense of change itself, not just what’s waiting for them in the next chapter, is what makes this final stretch before September feel unsettling. It’s worth remembering that finding this transition hard doesn’t mean something is wrong, it’s a normal response to a genuine shift in routine and expectations.
Tips for easing the transition
A little preparation can make the shift feel less sudden. In these final days before term, try encouraging your young person to reintroduce routine gradually and take responsibility of it for themself.
Tackle practical things together so they don’t feel overwhelmed come the start of the new school year.
It also helps to check in with them and talk about what they are looking forward to, as well as what they’re nervous about, rather than focusing only on the positives or the negatives. Lastly, and very importantly, give it time once term starts, most teens need a proper settling-in period, so try not to read too much into a wobbly first week or two.
How to start a conversation
Swapping “how was your day?” for something more specific, like asking about a good moment or something that surprised them, tends to open things up more naturally, both now and once term is back underway. And if your teen isn’t ready to talk, a lunch or activity often has a more positive outcome than pushing the conversation before they’re ready.
How GRIT can help you and your young person
GRIT is about more than supporting young people when things feel difficult. We build genuine, trusted relationships that give young people the space to better understand themselves – who they are, what matters to them, how they feel and why they respond in the ways they do.
Through coaching, we help young people explore their identity, values and beliefs, build confidence in their own voice and recognise that it is okay to think, feel or see the world differently from the people around them, including those they love.
By developing greater self-awareness, emotional understanding and confidence, young people are better equipped to communicate what they need, navigate relationships, make choices that feel right for them and manage the pressures and challenges they face.
And we don’t wait for things to reach crisis point. If you’re noticing changes in your young person, or simply feel they might benefit from having someone outside of family or school to talk to and explore things with, we’d love to hear from you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Why might my teenager be struggling as the summer holidays come to an end?
The change in routine and the prospect of returning to school can bring difficult feelings to the surface. For some young people, the break from school may have temporarily reduced pressures linked to friendships, academic expectations or the school environment. As the new term approaches, worries or anxieties connected to these pressures may begin to return. Taking time to check in with your young person can help you understand how they are feeling and what, if anything, they might need as they prepare for the weeks ahead.
What are the signs my teenager is struggling as term starts?
Withdrawal, excessive sleep, loss of interest in usual activities, changes in eating habits and diet and everyday tasks suddenly feeling harder, particularly in these first few weeks back. These can be red flags that they are not quite themselves.
Who can I talk to if I’m worried?
Our services are available to young people aged 11–24.
Thanks to current funding, we can offer these services free of charge to young people registered with a GP in Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Ashwell, or Whitwell. If you’re registered with a GP outside of these areas, don’t worry, you can still access our services through a self-funded route. To refer your young person or to find our more please click here: https://gritcharity.org/get-help/
How can I help my teen with the transition back to school?
Ease routines back in gradually before term starts, involve them in practical preparation, and talk openly about both their excitement and their nerves. A settling-in period is normal, so try not to worry if the first week or two feels bumpy.