As we begin another back-to-school season, parents’ hopes and worries deepen. School is very much the center of a teenager’s social world. As parents, we imagine our child’s success in school as the bridge to a bright future, while struggling in school, no matter the reason, can lead to increased drop-out rates and struggle as an adult. For at risk youth struggling with mental health concerns, school is a critical time.

While all vulnerable students can struggle at the start of school, the first year of high school is particularly problematic for adolescents who are struggling with self-esteem issues or emotional challenges. 

These students find the transition to high school particularly difficult. The secret to helping these vulnerable kids is early intervention. These programs can be a guiding light in the darkest moments and a vital part of helping at risk youth navigate common high school challenges and come out successful.

It is crucial to understand the effects of school challenges ahead. Let’s examine some of the difficulties at-risk teenagers face in their initial year of high school.

Why the Transition to High School is Tough for Vulnerable Students

The transition to high school brings higher academic requirements and greater pressure to perform well in school. These grades matter for transcripts and GPAs, and students may feel more pressure on their shoulders. For those already struggling with their emotional or mental health, this added pressure can be hard to manage.

The First Year’s Gauntlet: Challenges Faced by Adolescents

Many students classified as at-risk are also ones who have academic struggles. Without the right interventions, these students can have low marks, and that can contribute to additional mental health and self-esteem issues. In high school, this becomes increasingly prominent because students need to score well to graduate successfully. If students fail their first year of high school, they’re more likely to drop out instead of graduating.

Stress Amplifiers: High Stress Levels in High School

Another concern that faces students in their first year of high school is a higher reported stress level. In 2013 the American Psychological Association started noticing that teens had higher stress levels than adults, and that has not changed since. Stress exasperates the mental health concerns of at-risk youth and thus makes them more prone to serious depression and anxiety concerns.

Increased Social Pressure and Disciplinary Challenges

The first year of high school is also a time when social pressures increase. More and more students are finding boyfriends or girlfriends, friend groups are becoming more exclusive, and those who don’t have a group may feel social pressure to fit in. Early teenage years are also a developmental time when peers and their opinions are of great importance, and this exasperates the problem.

Sometimes, at risk youth are going to experience disciplinary issues. They may act out because of their anxiety or depression, or they may have underlying learning disabilities, such as ADHD, that haven’t been properly treated and affect their behavior. Conditions like social anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, and panic disorders can manifest in behavioral concerns, and the school may not recognize the mental health side. Being disciplined for these behaviors adds to the challenge of trying to navigate the first year of high school.

Empowering Through Early Intervention: A Key to Good Behaviors

The key to helping these at risk kids is to intervene early before they have extremely low scores and low self-esteem. Identifying at risk students in the first few weeks of school, and pulling in appropriate interventions, is critical.

In order to utilize early intervention programs for at-risk students, you must be able to spot vulnerable students. Here are some red flags in the first year of high school that can help you find kids who need help.

• Avoiding new or difficult situations

• School refusal

• Sudden academic performance changes

• Issues with sleep

• Changes in eating patterns

• Pessimism

• Difficulty with reading comprehension

• Strong emotions without cause

• Frequent physical symptoms, like headaches or stomach aches

How to Choose the Right Help for Your Teen

If you are a parent or a teacher who’s noticing these red flags in the first year of high school, then it’s time to get help. The type of help you need depends on how severe the student’s behaviors are.

If you can catch at risk youth early and help them navigate high school challenges before they are in danger of failing, you may be able to move through these challenges with a little extra academic support and some behavioral counseling or professional therapy.: