Nearly half of parents worry about their child’s mental wellbeing as they return to school
03 September 2026
Vitality identifies parental concerns
As the academic year approaches, new research from Vitality Health Insurance reveals that nearly half (48%) of parents worry about their child’s mental wellbeing as they return to school, with over half (55%) saying their child has expressed anxiety about going back.
For many families, these concerns are not limited to the days immediately before term begins. Over half (57%) of parents say they typically notice changes in their child’s mood or behaviour ahead of the new school term, with two thirds (67%) noticing them before term starts and nearly a third (30%) seeing changes during the first few weeks back at school.
The most commonly reported changes include seeming more anxious (43%), irritability (29%), and disrupted sleep (28%). Parents also report children becoming more withdrawn (23%), experiencing headaches or stomach aches (20%) and losing interest in activities they usually enjoy (15%).
Across all age groups, parents worry about their children’s friendships and fitting in socially, (25%), their workload (25%), and the academic pressures they will face (24%). Yet one of the biggest challenges for parents is getting their child to talk about how they’re feeling. Nearly a third (27%) say they worry most about their child not opening up about their anxieties – suggesting that spotting when they may need extra support isn’t always easy. In fact, more than one in ten (11%) are not confident spotting when ordinary back-to-school nerves could signal something more significant, and one in eight (12%) do not know where to turn for advice if concerns arise.
Ahead of the new term, parents are also feeling the pressure to get the transition right. More than half (51%) feel under pressure to make the return to school as smooth as possible for their child, while 55% worry about spending enough quality time together during term time. Many are already taking practical steps to help, including preparing school clothes and equipment (40%), prioritising quality family time (40%), talking to their child about their worries (37%) and gradually reintroducing stable bedtimes (31%).
Silvia Cordoba, Senior Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach at Vitality, says: "Back-to-school nerves are natural for a child. They may be stepping into a new school year, entering a new stage, or facing some version of an “unknown”. Alongside excitement and anticipation, these transitions may bring feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability.
"When parents notice things that feel unusual or “out of the norm” in their child, it is worth exploring. If a child is consistently wanting to avoid school, is withdrawing from friends, is no longer enjoying familiar activities, or if their regular needs such as sleep, eating or day-to-day functioning are being affected, this may indicate that they could benefit from some additional support."
As part of its partnership with Mindler, Vitality offers access to The Sandbox, providing online mental health support to Vitality members between the ages of 5 and 17.
Emily Ryan, Senior Therapist at The Sandbox part of Mindler, adds: “The return to school is a significant transition, so some uncertainty is completely understandable.
"What matters is not expecting children to feel positive all the time but creating opportunities for them to talk honestly about what is worrying them. Listening without immediately trying to solve the problem, acknowledging how your child feels and taking small practical steps together can make the return feel less overwhelming.”