Student Services Newsletter

Wilson Area School District - WINTER 2025

10 Tips for Supporting Kids Mental Health at Home

Children face a lot these days – between school, friends, and the digital world, it’s easy for them to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, if you are a parent or caregiver, there are simple and meaningful things you can do to help your child feel more supported emotionally. Here are ten ways to support your child’s mental health and help them feel confident and resilient.

Create a Safe Space for Open Communication

Let your child know they can talk to you about anything. Ask open-ended questions and validate their emotions without judgment. When you create a space where they feel heard, without judgement, it strengthens your bond and helps them feel safe opening up about their feelings.

Maintain a Consistent Routine

Kids thrive on predictability. A structured daily routine can provide a sense of security and stability. While flexibility is important, a consistent schedule for meals, homework, and bedtime helps reduce anxiety and creates a sense of normalcy.

Encourage Physical Activity

Physical activity is great for both the body and the mind. Whether it’s kicking a ball around, dancing, or just running in the park, staying active is a fun way to manage stress and boost their mood.

Practice Mindfulness Together

Simple mindfulness practices, like breathing exercises or short meditations, can help children manage anxiety. Practicing mindfulness as a family, even for just a few minutes each day, can create a calming routine and help kids build emotional regulation skills.

Limit Screen Time

While technology is part of life, too much screen time can mess with sleep and create unnecessary stress. Set boundaries around devices to make sure they have enough time for offline fun and relaxation.

Foster Social Connections

Strong connections with family and friends are so important for your child’s emotional health. Encourage playdates or family gatherings, so they can feel part of a supportive social circle.

Promote Healthy Sleep Habits

Good sleep is crucial for mental health. Create a bedtime routine that encourages relaxation, such as reading or listening to calming music, and ensure they getting enough rest. Poor sleep can contribute to irritability, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.

Model Healthy Emotional Habits

Children learn a lot by observing adults. Show them how to handle stress, frustration, and disappointment in a healthy way. By managing your own emotions calmly and constructively, you demonstrate important coping skills they can adopt.

Use Calming and Grounding Techniques

Teach your child simple grounding techniques, such as focusing on their senses or deep breathing, to help manage anxiety or overwhelming emotions.

~Mindfulliving.com

What is the Student Assistance Program?

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) was developed to offer supportive services to students who may experience barriers to their academic and social success while in school.

The SAP Team consists of administrators, school counselors, district social workers, nurses, teachers and a consultant from the Center for Humanistic Change. Students can be referred to the program by teachers, parents, community members, or self referral. In situations where barriers to education exist that are beyond the scope of the school, the team will make efforts to assist parents/guardians by providing information for the family to access resources within the community.

For information on the Student Assistance Program, please contact your child's school counselor.

Guiding Good Choices Parent Program

Guiding Good Choices is an evidence based program for parents and children ages 9-14. The multimedia family-competency training program is designed to strengthen parents' family management skills, parent-child bonding, and children's peer resistance skills.

In just 5 weeks you will Increase proactive family communication, Reduce negative family interactions, Improve observable relationship quality between the parent and child, Reduce rates of substance use, Decrease alcohol and other drug related problems.

For more information how how to sign up for this FREE parenting program, please contact your school's counselor.

LINCS Family Center

Dedicated to offering all Wilson area residents a confidential contact for accessing a variety of support through programs and services. Our mission is to provide a compassionate and sensitive community resource that will empower Wilson area families by linking them to direct, comprehensive programs addressing social, emotional and physical well-being, educational assistance, and resources needed to raise healthy children and enhance all residents’ quality of life.

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