Does your child have the summer blues? They may need a Mental Health Day

Kids have busy lives…and so do you! If you and your children feel overwhelmed by summer activities like  sports, camps, chores and more, it might be time for a mental health day. I like to call them ‘Family Skip Days.’

According to the most recent Prince George’s County Community Health Assessment, almost a third of middle and high school students felt sad or hopeless enough that it impeded their normal activities.  

That’s why mental health days are just as important for kids as for grown-ups. While it might feel challenging to fit one of these days into our busy schedules, it’s important to prioritize mental health and wellbeing to help the whole family recharge.

What are the signs?

While everyone feels down at times, you might consider a mental health day if your child is feeling persistent sadness or showing frustration that does not match the situation. Remember, summer should be fun. You can look out for these signs too: 

• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks
• Increased irritability or anxiety
• Negative comments on social media
• Noticeable stress of feelings of being overwhelmed
• Physical complaints (like stomachaches) without a clear cause
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Threatens to harm or kill oneself

Many of these signs may be more obvious in teens, but harder to spot in younger children. Watch for signs like frequent, unexplained temper tantrums, persistent nightmares, or ongoing disobedience and aggression. Whatever the signs, children of all ages can benefit from mental health days.

Tips for a successful mental health day with your child

Mental health days should be fun and relaxing, not stressful.  Here’s how I make these days easy to schedule and fun for my own family:

• Schedule wisely: Pick a day when your family has the fewest obligations to reduce the stress of rescheduling other events.
• Start the day strong: Sleep in and help your children pick out or make their favorite breakfast in their pajamas.
• Pick enjoyable activities: It will feel more special if your kids can help decide the activity. Consider giving them options that are local and budget-friendly to make the day easy on your wallet.
• Connect with your kids: Ask your child if there’s anything on their mind or if something is bothering them. You can talk while you’re cooking, playing or walking to a park.
• Rotate the time: If you have multiple children, rotate activities so that each child has some one on one time with you.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If your child expresses feelings of anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, you may consider reaching out to a behavioral health professional. It’s okay that your kids are not okay. 

If you think that your child could benefit from meeting with a behavioral health professional, you can book an appointment online without a referral at Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth. For urgent matters, visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham. At the urgent care, walk-in appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. 

Lastly, the most important thing is to get out of the house and enjoy your time together. Put away the phones and turn off the TV and game consoles.  A mental health day is not about checking out, it’s about checking in with your child and being present without any distractions.