Primary Children’s says ‘mental health toolkit’ should be part of back-to-school preparations

SALT LAKE CITY — Going back to school can bring with it some anxiety, but Amanda Choudhury with Primary Children’s Hospital says that’s normal.

“It is important for families to talk with their children about how they are feeling and what is to come and set up routines to help with the transition into the new school year,” she said in a news release Wednesday.

Choudhury, director of pediatric behavioral health at Primary Children’s Hospital, said the number of children needing mental health treatment typically increases each year when the new school year begins. The hospital wants to help parents recognize when their children need help and know where to go for it in advance, she said.

“There’s no need to wait until a crisis occurs. Help is available and more is on the way,” she said.

Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people in Utah, and Primary Children’s officials say 43 percent of Utah youth who report feeling sad or having suicidal thoughts say they haven’t told anyone about it.

With this information in mind, Intermountain Health is encouraging parents to create a “mental health toolkit,” in addition to other preparations for the back-to-school season this year. The toolkit the company recommends includes steps to prepare for sending your child back to school, signs of stress that parents should look out for, and a list of resources they can use to find support.

Here are some preparation suggestions:

• Develop a routine that accounts for meals, sleep schedules, and time spent on electronic devices.
• Show your enthusiasm for school by leaving a note in your child’s backpack.
• Visit the school, walk to the bus stop, and discuss the journey home in advance.
• Acknowledge their feelings and talk to them about what might help them calm down.

Signs of distress that hospitals want parents to be aware of include changes in behavior, mood or eating habits, an inability to get through or recover from a difficult day or a child who is unable to be soothed, or a series of consistently struggling and difficult days multiple times a week.

Primary Children’s Hospital encourages parents to keep information about mental health resources on hand: The hospital has a Talk to Tween program that is available in both English and French. English and SpanishPrimary Children’s also offers a free consultation service. ARCSand can connect families with child mental health services.

Emergency resources are available through the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988. Safe UT app and crisis lines, emergency departments at Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi and Salt Lake City, and emergency rooms at other hospitals.

Intermountain Health is expanding its mental health treatment for children and teens with a new behavioral health center opening next year in Taylorsville. It will be built in the same location as the current health center but will be able to treat more patients in a family-centered way.