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Back-to-School Parent Toolkit
Supporting Children's Mental Health Throughout the School Year
Welcome to a New School Year!
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
A new school year is filled with possibility. It brings new teachers, classmates, routines, and opportunities to learn and grow. It can also bring uncertainty, stress, and anxiety—for children and for the adults who love them.
As you prepare backpacks, organize schedules, and check off school supply lists, we encourage you to add one more important item: checking in on your child’s mental health. A simple conversation, a few extra minutes together at the end of the day, or asking, “How are you really doing?” can make a meaningful difference.
Every child experiences change differently. Some will eagerly walk through the school doors, while others may struggle with new expectations, friendships, academic pressures, or the return to familiar routines. Many of these feelings are a normal part of growing up. At the same time, persistent changes in mood, behavior, sleep, appetite, or school engagement may be signs that a child needs additional support.
The good news is that you do not have to navigate these moments alone. Whether you are looking for reliable information, practical ideas to support your child, or guidance about when to seek professional help, we hope this toolkit serves as a trusted resource.
The Vistas—comprised of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke and TaraVista Behavioral Health Center in Devens—provide compassionate, evidence-based behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and throughout New England.
Most importantly, remember this: asking for help is a sign of strength. By talking openly about emotional well-being and reaching out when something does not feel right, we can help children build resilience, confidence, and hope.
Thank you for taking the time to invest in your child’s well-being. We wish you and your family a healthy, successful, and fulfilling school year.
With care,
The Vistas
MiraVista Behavioral Health Center | TaraVista Behavioral Health Center
Articles
Explore practical guidance and thoughtful insights designed to help families support young people’s emotional well-being, strengthen connections, and navigate the challenges of growing up.
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Technology, Social Media, and Mental Wellness
Technology and social media are part of everyday life, but balance matters. Learn how families can encourage healthier digital habits while supporting connection, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
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Building Emotional Resilience at Home
Emotional resilience grows through everyday moments of connection, encouragement, and healthy coping. Learn how families can create a supportive home environment that helps young people understand their emotions and navigate life’s challenges.
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Five Minutes Can Change Everything
A meaningful conversation doesn’t have to take long. Just five focused minutes of listening and connection can help a young person feel seen, supported, and more comfortable sharing what they’re experiencing.
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What’s Normal—and When Should I Be Concerned?
Changes in a young person’s mood and behavior can be part of growing up—but when should caregivers be concerned? Learn which signs may signal that additional mental health support is needed.
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Mental Health Belongs on the School Supply List
As families prepare for a new school year, mental health deserves a place alongside notebooks and pencils. Learn how caregivers, educators, and communities can support students through the emotional challenges of returning to the classroom.
Brochures
Explore MiraVista’s brochures to learn more about our programs, treatment options, admissions process, and resources available to individuals, families, and community partners.
Trusted Resources for Families
These organizations offer crisis support, treatment navigation, family education, screening tools, and practical guidance. Links should be made clickable in the final digital folio and may also be paired with QR codes.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
A free, confidential service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for Massachusetts residents. Trained staff help people understand mental health and substance use needs and connect them with appropriate treatment and community services. Call, text, or chat.
833-773-2445
www.masshelpline.com
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Provides free, confidential support 24/7 by call, text, or chat for people experiencing emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thoughts of suicide. Family members and friends may also contact 988 for guidance about someone they are worried about.
Call or text 988
HealthyChildren.org — American Academy of Pediatrics
Offers pediatrician-reviewed information for parents and caregivers on children’s physical, emotional, and behavioral health, including anxiety, depression, sleep, school concerns, media use, and how to talk with a child’s doctor.
Child Mind Institute Family Resource Center
Provides practical articles, symptom guides, videos, and downloadable resources to help families understand and respond to mental health, behavior, and learning challenges in children and teens.
childmind.org/resources
NAMI Massachusetts
Offers free education, family support groups, programs, and navigation assistance for individuals living with mental health conditions and the people who care about them. The Compass Helpline helps Massachusetts families locate support and understand the mental health system.
namimass.org/family
Mental Health America Screening
Provides free, confidential online screening tools, including a parent screening about a child’s emotions, attention, and behavior and a youth screening for ages 11–17. Screenings are educational tools and are not a diagnosis.
screening.mhanational.org/
screening-tools/parent
SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov
A confidential, anonymous national locator for mental health and substance use treatment services. Families can search by location and filter results based on the type of care needed.
findtreatment.gov
The Trevor Project
Provides free, confidential, 24/7 crisis counseling by phone, text, and chat for LGBTQ+ young people, along with educational resources and an affirming peer-support community.
1-866-488-7386
www.thetrevorproject.org/
get-help
American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan
A free, customizable tool that helps families establish shared expectations for devices, media use, screen-free zones, sleep, and online safety.
www.healthychildren.org/
English/fmp/Pages/
MediaPlan.aspx
StopBullying.gov
Provides federal guidance for families and schools on recognizing, preventing, documenting, and responding to bullying and cyberbullying.
www.stopbullying.gov
The Vistas Are Here
The Vistas include MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke and TaraVista Behavioral Health Center in Devens. Together, the hospitals provide compassionate, evidence-based behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across Massachusetts and throughout New England.
1233 Main Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
413-701-2600
miravistabhc.care
85 Patton Road, Devens, MA 01434
978-615-5200
taravista.care
A Direct Path to Inpatient Care
Both hospitals offer a Direct Admission process for many patients who meet clinical criteria. Direct Admission may allow a child, adolescent, or adult to access inpatient psychiatric care without first waiting in a busy emergency department. A member of the admissions team can explain eligibility, review clinical information, and help families and referral partners understand next steps.
For questions about youth services, treatment options, or sharing this toolkit with your organization, email klee@miravistabhc.care.
“Every child deserves to feel heard, supported, and hopeful. Whether your family needs reassurance, guidance, or specialized care, know that you are not alone.”
— Karyn Rossacci
Important Note
This toolkit is intended for general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Contact a qualified healthcare professional with questions about an individual child. In an immediate emergency, call 911. For suicide or mental health crisis support, call or text 988.