Dan McKinnon says it’s normal for kids to be nervous, anxious and stressed about going back to school.
McKinnon, a Navigator for the Kemptville District Hospital’s “Wellness Access for Youth” (WAY) program, is offering some advice for kids struggling now that they’re back in school.
He says making sure kids understand their feelings are normal is one of his top priorities.
“It’s big changes, it’s a lot going on, it’s a lot of big decisions,” McKinnon says. “It’s okay to feel anxious. It’s okay to feel stressed. It’s not just you.”
McKinnon is urging kids who are having a hard time to make sure they have someone they can talk to about it, whether it’s a parent, teacher or by calling his team at WAY.
“If you’re not sure who it is you should be talking to, if you’re not sure where it is you should be going, you don’t want to go to the hospital, you’re not ready to call a therapist, that’s what we do,” he explains.
The program supports local youth struggling with things like mental health and addiction. McKinnon says it can connect kids and parents to specialists to get them the help they need.
You can call WAY at 1-866-741-1929.
