Colman Noctor: Return to school brings a wave of anxiety

 For most children with underlying anxiety, the return to school in September will almost always see it bubble up to the surface.

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ONCE the school year recommences in September, I brace myself for the inevitable wave of calls and emails from parents concerned for their children’s psychological and emotional wellbeing. Without fail, it’s my busiest month of the year as a psychotherapist because the commencement of the new school year brings a wave of anxiety for many children and families.

Anxiety is a significant issue for Irish children. The 2019 My World Survey 2 found the number of young people in Ireland suffering from anxiety had doubled from 2012, when the first survey took place. It is reasonable to assume anxiety levels have grown since the pandemic, with demand for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services increasing by 33% between 2020 and 2021, while 21% more cases were seen during the same period.