Back-to-School Stress in Education: Strategies for Supporting Students and Staff
For school administrators, teachers, and mental health professionals, the start of a new academic year is equal parts anticipation and anxiety. While fresh supplies and new schedules signal a clean slate, they also bring long to-do lists, unfamiliar challenges, and a sharp rise in stress levels for both students and staff.
A 2023 survey by the American Federation of Teachers found that 89% of educators identified stress as a “serious” problem in their profession, with workload and lack of support cited as key contributors. Students aren’t immune either: the CDC reports that over 40% of high schoolers experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, many of which spike during the transition back to school.
The message is clear: the back-to-school season isn’t just about academics. It’s a crucial time for mental health, and schools have an opportunity to lead with care.
Understanding the Emotional Load of Back-to-School Transitions
The start of a school year often brings:
- Pressure for staff to meet curriculum standards under tight deadlines
- Anxiety in students adjusting to new routines, peers, or expectations
- Increased behavioral issues related to stress or lack of regulation
- Sleep disruptions and mental fatigue across all age groups
When back-to-school stress goes unaddressed, both students and educators may experience increased fatigue, overwhelm, and emotional strain, making it more challenging to stay engaged in learning and teaching throughout the school year.
Strategies That Support the Whole School Environment
Schools and districts can take actionable steps to create an environment that supports well-being from day one:
1. Prioritize Calm, Not Just Compliance
Creating quiet zones, offering mindfulness breaks, or allowing flexible seating can reduce overstimulation. For teachers and counselors, integrating de-escalation tools into the classroom toolkit helps reinforce safety and calm.
2. Support Staff as Whole People
Burnout prevention should be part of your professional development strategy. Equipping staff with wellness resources, such as TouchPoints — wearable devices that utilize gentle micro-vibrations to regulate the body’s stress response — can help educators find balance during high-pressure moments.
3. Address Sleep and Focus Disruptions
Back-to-school stress often disrupts students' and educators' sleep patterns and ability to focus. TouchPoints have been shown to help users fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, while also promoting mental clarity throughout the day.
4. Offer Real-Time Emotional Regulation Tools
TouchPoints aren’t just for after school. They can be worn discreetly during lessons, meetings, or transitions to help manage anxiety, overwhelm, or focus-related challenges, making them ideal for both special education programs and general classroom support.
Aligning with the Six Dimensions of Health
TouchPoints support the following wellness pillars during back-to-school transitions:- Healthy Thinking – Helping staff and students navigate overwhelming thoughts with calm and clarity
- Sleep – Supporting nervous system recovery overnight
- Mindfulness – Encouraging presence and emotional awareness in busy environments
- Healthy Relationships – Reducing stress responses that can lead to outbursts or withdrawal
Create a School Culture That Supports Mental Health
Addressing back-to-school stress isn’t about adding another task — it’s about investing in the emotional resilience of your entire school community. When schools offer accessible, non-invasive tools that work in real-time, they send a clear message: mental health is not an afterthought—it’s foundational to learning and growth.
Looking to support your district’s students and staff this school year?
Book a consultation to learn how TouchPoints can be integrated into your school’s wellness strategy.
Ready to equip your educators with real-time stress relief?
Shop TouchPoints for Schools and give your teams the tools they need to thrive.
