Project Uplift: Experts give tips on dealing with back-to-school anxiety

(WTAJ) — For many kids and teens, going back to school can stir up a mix of emotions, including stress and anxiety.

While experts agree these feelings are a normal and healthy response to a transitional period in an adolescent's life, it can also be a sign of a more serious mental health concern when the symptoms don't alleviate a few weeks into the year.

So when should parents and guardians be concerned?

Tawnya Meadows, PhD., a pediatric psychologist at Geisinger Health System, said that youth who are struggling with the transition back into the school year may experience changes in their sleep and eating habits as well as their mood. These ongoing changes are a strong indicator of ongoing anxious feelings.

While it's important to pay attention to these signs, Meadows also said that to really get a sense of how your child is feeling, the best thing to do is ask. She recommends having open, honest conversations with them around the dinner table or on a car ride, and to role model your own struggles.

"Sharing how your day is going and what's going well and what's stressful at work or in your home life and how you're problem-solving. It ...