Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • September 2021 As children in the Fredericksburg region return to in-person school, area mental health counselors who work with children encourage parents to remember that for children to succeed aca- demically, they must first have a healthy baseline of good mental wellness. "They have experienced tremendous stress," said Lisa Dolan, coor- dinator of social work services for the Spotsylvania County Public Schools. "One of the things we know supports children in dealing with stress is buffering adult relationships." These positive adult relationships were harder for children to cre- ate during the pandemic, when schools, churches and many sports clubs paused in-person operations. But they are an important pro- tective factor that can help children build resilience. The pandemic has taken an enormous toll on the mental health of America's children. A study released in July by the CDC found that emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among girls aged 12 to 17 years were 51% higher from Feb. 21-March 20, 2021, than they were during the same period in 2019. The increase was 3.7% for boys in this age group. A study released in June by Ohio State University that surveyed 11- to 16-year-old males found that nearly one-third reported increased anxiety levels and worsening moods between March and June of 2020. While many parents are eager for children to return to making aca- demic progress, rebuilding resilience and addressing mental health issues will be prerequisites to succeeding in schoolwork. Dolan recommends parents check out the work of Dr. Bruce Perry, a neuroscientist who focuses on helping kids through trauma. Perry lays out three steps that are crucial to getting kids' brains ready to learn. They are: REGULATE – Children must calm their fight-or-flight responses first. They need to be reassured that they are in a safe and pro- tective environment. RELATE – Once children have regulated, they need to connect and build a relationship with the people around them, including teachers, bus drivers, counselors and peers. REASON – Children can reflect, articulate and learn from their experiences—and proceed to academic work—only after they have achieved the first two steps. Dolan said parents can help by encouraging children to talk through their anxieties at home, and reassuring them about the safety of schools. A good first step, she said, is for adults to make sure they are taking care of their own mental health. "Kids do well when adults do well. First and foremost, parents have to take care of their own emotional needs," Dolan said. She urged parents to remember that schools have resources for help- ing children deal with anxiety, and talking to a school counselor can be a good first step if something seems off. "There are people out there who will help them, and they are as close as your school." Dolan said. WRITTEN BY EMILY FREEHLING As Schools Return, Parents Should Focus on Rebuilding RESILIENCE sponsored material [ [

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