As summer comes to an end and the school year begins, we talk about back-to school activities in general. Shopping is one thing which is often talked about this time of year. After all, visiting the mall to buy new school outfits and accessories is fun for both parents and children.
If you’re hearing students talking about their Back to School Necklace It’s crucial to remember that they’re not discussing an exciting, new necklace. It’s more of a troubling phrase (that isn’t a cause for concern at first) you’ll encounter in conversation or via social media. What exactly is a necklace for back-to-school?
What exactly is what is a “back-to-school necklace”?
In the Urban Dictionary, a back-to-school necklace is described as “another name for a noose. This is due to the utter despair you feel when school starts back up again.”
Examples of its usage are: “I’m about to buy my back-to-school necklace,” “I can’t wait to get a back-to-school necklace,” “Thinking about that back-to-school necklace,” “That back-to-school necklace is calling me,” “I can’t wait to wear my back-to-school necklace,” and so on.
While a back-to school necklace may sound innocent to people who don’t know its significance, it’s in reality a call for help, since it’s the code for hanging death.
Once parents are informed about this concept, they’ll be better placed to assist.
What can parents do to discuss the latest trending necklace for back-to-school with their kids?
If you’re not sure of how to tackle this, Samantha Westhouse, LLMSW Psychotherapist and maternal-infant social worker suggests that your child be the one to lead the discussion. “Start off by saying, ‘I heard about this thing called back-to-school necklaces do you know anything about that?'” She suggests. “I think an open conversation is always beneficial. It’s always important to refrain from judgment so your child feels comfortable sharing how they are feeling.”
Simply taking the time to take a look can make a difference. “Parents should feel empowered to talk to their children about mental health in general,” Explains Emily Cavaleri, LLMSW an educator, social worker as well as a therapy for children and families. When it comes to back-to Healthy School Lunch conversations, she suggests, “Share personal stories about how you felt starting school each year, especially if you had feelings of dread when you were a child. Let them know you will help them work through any feelings or get them professional help if needed.”
Why is there such a lot of fear as students prepare for the start of their school year?
There is a certain amount of anxiety since students have to adjust to a new routine following the summer season. “Returning to school can feel overwhelming for a variety of reasons,” Cavaleri says. “Some students struggle with thoughts of a new school, a new teacher, a new schedule, etc. Students are going from sleeping in and a relaxed schedule, to early mornings and busy days.”
Sometimes, these challenges seem insurmountable to students. For instance, the CDC has found that “More than 1 in 3 high school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40 percent increase since 2009.”
“I think it could be a combination of what socialization has looked like the last two years on top of the age,” Westhouse elaborates. “If we look back today, 13-year-olds were ten in the year we found ourselves under lockdown. They were attending school on the internet and having a hard time with regular activities, sports and socializing. Also, add mass school shootings, and what we’ve seen throughout the past couple of years. All of it has an impression.
What are the warning signs parents need to be looking out for?
“If someone is using this phrase, there is a high chance that they are struggling with their mental health,” Cavaleri states. “Whether you child contemplating suicide , or uses this as a plea for help, the symptoms you might notice includebeing alone for a long time or withdrawn, having a tendency to be irritable frequently crying, crying easily sleepy more than normal or having difficulty sleeping, losing enthusiasm for things they were previously interested in or giving possessions away, and generally an alteration in behavior.
If you’ve not seen your child using this phrase, it could be a phrase they are using on their smartphones, Cavaleri points out. “They may use it via text or social media platforms,” she declares. “Parents should be aware of their children’s electronic use. Students of any age may be using this phrase and having these feelings, so look for signs in your children, from young children to adolescent age.”
Chloe Harmon
