Supporting Your Child's Mental Health

As a former educator, I deeply understand the concerns parents have about balancing their child's education with other important priorities. I've seen firsthand how crucial it is to ensure children receive the support they need, both academically and emotionally. This background gives me a unique perspective on how mental health impacts learning and development. It also means I understand the worries you may have about how therapy can affect school attendance and progress. Let me assure you, prioritizing mental health does not mean sacrificing academic success—in fact, it's often the key to achieving it.

If your child is facing mental health challenges, getting them the help they need is crucial. However, balancing therapy with the demands of school, extracurricular activities, and family commitments can feel overwhelming. Many parents hesitate to schedule therapy during school hours, worrying about the impact of missed instructional time. Common concerns include: Will my child fall behind? Will the teacher provide missed work? Will the school view frequent absences negatively?

Prioritizing Your Child’s Well-Being

Parenting often involves difficult decisions, and sometimes, addressing your child’s long-term well-being means prioritizing therapy, even if it requires time out of school. Keep in mind that untreated mental health concerns can significantly hinder your child’s ability to learn. By focusing on their mental health now, you're setting the foundation for better academic success in the future.

How Mental Health Affects Learning

When your child is struggling with mental health, their learning is likely already affected. Anxiety can interfere with working memory, making it hard to absorb and retain information. Depression impacts cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate, recall details, and make decisions. Trauma can disrupt the brain's ability to focus and follow instructions in the classroom.

Finding the Right Time for Therapy

• Work with your child's teacher to identify natural breaks in the school day when attending therapy would cause the least disruption.

• Ask your child when they would prefer to attend therapy. Their input can help create a schedule that feels more comfortable to them.

• Consider scheduling therapy sessions at the beginning or end of the school day, allowing your child to either arrive late or leave early.

• Remember, by prioritizing your child’s mental health, you are ultimately supporting their education—even if it means missing some school.