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Back to School

Going Back to School Can Be Hard

Children, teens, and young adults are facing more pressure than ever before. With many young people experiencing mental health symptoms, it can be good to know how to support young people as they transition back to school. Whether it is elementary school or college, DBSA has put together some information that can help parents and caregivers as well as students themselves with the start of a new school year.

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Find Support

Online support groups are so helpful for parents and caregivers with busy schedules. As a parent or caregiver with a child living with a mood disorder, it can be helpful to talk to others who know what you are going through. DBSA has four different support groups specifically for parents and caregivers, including the most recently added one for newly diagnosed children. Learn more about our online support groups.

Find Support

Advocating for Your Child in School

Back to school can bring anxieties up for young people, but also for parents and caregivers. Having a plan for advocating for your child’s needs and accommodations can make the transition back to the classroom smoother. Read more on how to advocate for your child at school.

Learn More

Help From the DBSA Mood Crew

Going back to school can be an emotional experience for children of all ages, which is why the DBSA Mood Crew® was thrilled to help with back-to-school activities. Check out the Mood Crew back-to-school worksheet to help children identify their feelings as they make their way back to the classroom.

Do a Feelings Check with Mood Crew

 

 

Young Adult Resources

The DBSA Young Adult Council (YAC) develops unique resources to support other young adults living with depression and bipolar. They use their own lived experience to help inform the way that DBSA provides hope, help, support, and education. In addition, DBSA’s weekly young adult online support group provides young adults (between the ages of 18-30) living with depression and bipolar disorder a place to share experiences, discuss coping skills, and offer hope to one another.

Learn more

During high school and college, YAC member Sierra had a lot of different experiences with misdiagnosis. Read more about how she navigated finding the right diagnosis and care to support her while also being a student.

Read Sierra’s Story

For Kimberly, advocating for her child was difficult at times, but by learning from DBSA she found the tools she needed to ensure her son had the accommodations and support he needed.

Read Kimberly’s Story

Transitioning into young adulthood can be a challenging developmental time. Navigating higher education, entering the workforce, or moving out on one’s own for the first time can be even more challenging when living with a mood disorder. Listen to the members of our Young Adult Council talk about their experiences.