While education and academic achievement is seen as a pathway to success, we must also acknowledge and manage the unique pressures teens and young adults face. The weight of academic expectations can sometimes feel overwhelming for students. The key is cultivating their academic potential while also caring for their emotional well-being, ensuring they thrive both in school and in life. 

This guide offers practical advice, effective strategies, and insights on how parents can support their students in balancing academic success and mental health.

Understand the Pressure

Young people face a variety of pressures, including high academic standards, the influence of social media, and possible competition with peers. These pressures can lead to stress, anxiety, or even depression, which can significantly affect their academic performance and overall well-being.

Recognizing these pressures and the impact they have on your high school or college student is essential. It’s important to acknowledge the challenges they face, as this understanding is the first step in providing the necessary support to help them manage these demands effectively.

Open Communication

Create an environment at home where open conversations about school and life are a norm. Encourage your student to share their experiences and feelings. Some questions to start a conversation might include:

  • “How was school today, and how are you feeling about everything?”
  • “Which classes or subjects are you finding really tough right now?”
  • “What are some pressures or stressors impacting you?”
  • “How are things going with your friends and teachers?”
  • “What’s going well academically or in your social life?”

These questions can lead to more in-depth discussions that can help you gauge how your young person is coping and where they might need support. They may also help you better understand the areas your student already has in balance, and identify the areas where they could make some adjustments to improve their well-being.

Provide Emotional Support

Be the emotional support your student needs. Affirm their efforts and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. This can help to boost their confidence and self esteem. When they face setbacks, remind them that failure is a part of growth and not a reflection of their capabilities. Statements like “I’m proud of how hard you’re working” can help their efforts feel seen and appreciated. As a parent or caregiver, it is important to acknowledge and validate your student’s feelings, whether they’re experiencing success or facing challenges. This validation can make them feel understood and supported, reinforcing their confidence when challenges occur.

In addition to verbal support, be present. Depending on your circumstances, you can attend their school or extracurricular events, review homework, volunteer, check-in with their teachers, professors, coaches, or counselors, and show interest in their hobbies. Your involvement shows you care and are engaged in their life. 

If you find it hard to be involved in your student’s life in the ways mentioned above because of work, being a single-parent, or other responsibilities, you can find other ways to be engaged with your student. You can send voice notes or texts to check-in with your student, send a care package, or combine tasks with quality time like grocery shopping, cooking, or doing chores (even virtually if your student lives away from home). Providing a stable and supportive home environment is one of the most powerful ways you can help your student navigate both academic pressures and personal growth, ensuring they feel secure and valued every step of the way.

Establish a Healthy Routine and Study Habits

Creating a structured daily routine can help to reduce stress by providing your student with a sense of control over their daily life. Help your student set up a balanced schedule that includes dedicated time for schoolwork, regular breaks, plenty of rest, leisure, and social activities. Having a consistent routine not only assists with time management but also helps in maintaining their mental well-being. The schedule and structure should be flexible enough to adjust to your student’s changing needs, as a rigid plan may actually create more stress. 

In addition to a balanced routine, helping your student develop effective study habits is necessary for managing academic stress. Encourage them to set realistic goals, break tasks into manageable steps, and use planners or digital apps to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Normalize asking for help by encouraging them to go to tutoring sessions, study groups, and office hours as this can help to reduce stress and increase a sense of support. 

It’s also important to create a designated, organized study space at home that minimizes distractions and to encourage them to find these types of spaces on campus if they are in college. These practices can help schoolwork be more manageable, potentially reducing feelings of being overwhelmed and boosting their overall academic confidence.

Seek Professional Help If Needed

If you notice persistent signs of stress, anxiety, or depression, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. Consultation with therapists, counselors, or psychologists specializing in adolescent or young adult care can provide your student with the specialized assistance they may benefit from. Additionally, keep in mind that mental health care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It may take time to find the right therapist and the most effective approach. Patience and persistence are key during this process. As a parent, your support in navigating these options, attending initial consultations, and following up on treatment progress can make a significant difference in your student’s mental health journey.

The Takeaway

Balancing academics and mental health requires effort from both parents and teens. Keep the lines of communication open with your teen. By creating a supportive home environment, fostering good habits, and staying connected to your student’s emotional needs, you can help them navigate these years successfully. Your proactive involvement and consistent support not only help in managing current challenges but also lay the groundwork for long-term mental health and academic achievements. Remember, the goal isn’t just academic success but raising a well-rounded, healthy individual ready to find their way in the world. 

Free and Low-Cost Therapy Resources

  • Open Path Collective. Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a service that provides access to in-person and online psychotherapy services for individuals with middle or lower income levels for $30-$70 per session after paying a one-time membership fee of $65.
  • Support Groups | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI offers peer-led recovery support groups as well as family support groups and mental health education classes that are free of cost to participants. Groups and classes are offered at the more than 650 NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates across the country Find Your Local NAMI.
  • RAINN the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline has 24/7 support and a tool to search for local RAINN affiliates in the community that provide counseling and other forms of assistance for survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse or other circumstances. Services are usually free or low cost. 
  • Treatment Options Archive | Mental Health America. Mental Health America has a feature that allows people to learn more about various types of mental health treatment options such as Yoga, Peer Support, Support Groups, Hospitalization, Psychotherapy and Medication Management. From their treatment options page, they provide links to various organizations that have search tools to locate treatment providers in the local area, and it is possible to search for providers who take specific insurance as well as those who offer a sliding scale fee. 
  • Search For Treatment – FindTreatment.gov. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Services Administration) has a resource that allows individuals to search for mental health and substance use treatment centers in their area. 
  • EAP (Employee Assistance Program). An EAP is a free and confidential service that offers short term counseling as well as referral services to employees experiencing challenges such as stress, substance abuse, family issues and other mental health concerns. If you are not sure whether your employer offers an EAP, check your benefits package, contact your HR department or ask a co-worker or supervisor.