As the school year winds down, excitement often comes with a hidden cost: stress. From finals and packed schedules to graduation and big life decisions, many children and teens are feeling overwhelmed.
Boys Town New England clinicians are seeing an increase in end-of-year stress and burnout, especially among teens balancing academic pressure and uncertainty about what comes next.
“As exciting as this season can be, it also brings a lot of pressure for kids and families,” says Dr. Christopher Blank, a Boys Town behavioral health psychologist. “For some students, it feels like everything is happening at once.”
Stress doesn’t always look obvious. It can show up as irritability, trouble sleeping, headaches, lack of motivation or school avoidance. What may seem like defiance is often a child feeling overloaded.
The good news: small actions can help.
- Pause and reset: A calm “Let’s take a breath and try again” can de-escalate tense moments
- Acknowledge the stress: Saying “This is a busy week” helps kids feel understood
- Keep one routine steady: Even a short daily check-in creates stability
- Prepare ahead: Simple steps the night before can ease morning stress
- Connect first: Asking “How are you really doing?” opens the door to support
If stress becomes constant or starts affecting sleep, mood or school for more than a couple of weeks, it may be time to seek additional help.
“Getting help early matters,” Blank says. “When a child feels stuck in stress, support can make a big difference.”
Families can access 24/7 support through the Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000 or by texting VOICE to 20121.
Boys Town has long focused on helping families build emotional awareness and resilience. As the school year wraps up, those skills can help kids feel supported, steady and ready for what comes next.