With approximately 700,000 Kentucky students returning to school soon, mental health experts are urging families to prioritize their children's emotional well-being alongside traditional back-to-school preparations, according to reporting from Public News Service.

Hannah Brosnan, executive director of Mental Health America of Kentucky, recommends that families discuss upcoming routine changes and gradually adjust sleep schedules before the academic year begins. "For example, if bedtime and wake-up times are later in the summer than the school year, as they often are, consider slowly moving toward those earlier times, maybe by 30 minutes every few days," Brosnan suggested.

Research supports this approach. A Penn State University study found that consistent routines at home can reduce the likelihood children will struggle with the back-to-school transition. Among rural, low-income families, children with regular bedtimes and shared meals showed fewer behavioral issues and ADHD symptoms.

Mental health screenings are also recommended. Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, noted that about one in five children between ages 3 and 17 has an emotional, behavioral or mental health diagnosis. "In every age group, those concerns can look different. For a younger child, you might see issues with behavior or outbursts or separation anxiety. Older children might have issues with stress, or attention, or friendships, or grades," Randall said.

Brosnan emphasized the importance of communication, suggesting parents talk with children about their feelings and help them develop emotional awareness. In Lexington, Fayette County Public Schools offers mental health resources and trainings for families throughout the year.

The concerns are widespread: more than 87 percent of parents report the back-to-school transition causes stress, with more than half calling it the most stressful time of the year, according to 2023 data from education nonprofit Understood.