How school break can impact the health of students

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It’s school vacation week for students in Massachusetts and while it’s meant to be beneficial to students, it can also impact their mental and physical health.

School breaks allow students to rest and relax but it can also make some students feel isolated or disconnected. Having less structured days and less contact with school resources can be stressful for some students.

According to MiraVista, disruptions of school routines can destabilize children who rely on structure for their mental wellbeing. Changes in social dynamics or family dynamics can also increase mental health concerns.

Vacation breaks can sometimes be isolating for some children, especially when they do not have access to support networks or structured activities like they do in school.

Kimberly Lee with MiraVista explains what parents or caregivers can do to make sure that the children are okay, “Three very important words that we can all ask the young people in our lives, ‘How are you?’ Simply having a conversation with them asking them how they are feeling emotionally just as we would in terms of how they are feeling physically.”

Lee says that keeping young people engaged and involved whether, it’s going roller skating, outside to the park or to the library, is essential. She says it’s also important for parents to try to engage children in a way that is as consistent as possible to their school routine so that they don’t feel that disruption.