Bend Health’s Dr. Alethea Varra Shares Back-to-School Mental Health Warning Signs with YourUpdateTV

This Suicide Prevention Month, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist Shares How to Recognize Concerning Changes, Start Difficult Conversations and Know When a Child Needs Support

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The first few weeks of school bring a major shift in routine for kids and teens — new academic expectations, social dynamics and busier schedules that can quickly become overwhelming. Parents may notice changes in mood, sleep or behavior, but knowing which ones deserve attention isn’t always easy.

This is especially important as September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 10 marked World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the CDC, suicide was the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24 in 2023. That same year, 40% of U.S. high school students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness, and nearly one in five seriously considered attempting suicide. 

While parents and caregivers may fear that asking about suicide could put the idea in a child’s head, research shows that direct questions do not increase suicidal thoughts. Instead, asking calmly can communicate care, open the door to conversation and help a child get support.

Alethea Varra, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer of Bend Health and a licensed clinical psychologist, recently participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss how parents can recognize concerning changes, start difficult conversations, and know when their child needs support. Here’s what she had to say:

Which changes should parents watch for as the new school year gets underway?

As the new school year gets underway, parents should watch for changes that are out of character — something that lasts over time and becomes more intense or concerning as your child does settle in. This could include things like isolating from friends or family, losing interest in activities or clubs, irritability or feeling sad or anxious, or new physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches. The main questions to ask are: Is this new? Is it lasting? And is it affecting important parts of their lives — things like school, home or friendships?

How can families tell the difference between typical back-to-school stress and a change that may call for professional support?

There are a few ways to tell whether these changes are normal settling in or something to be more concerned about. First, typical stress usually improves as your child becomes more comfortable in their routine, while concerning symptoms persist or get worse over time. For example, pay attention if it’s lasting two weeks, not just two days — but trust your gut. You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong before seeking support, and you should ask for help earlier if you’re concerned. Don’t wait until your child talks specifically about hopelessness, suicide or self-harm. Your child’s pediatrician, the school counselor, or a pediatric mental health professional want to hear from you before it escalates to that level.

How can parents check in with their child — including asking directly about suicide — in a way that feels supportive rather than scary?

As a parent myself, I know that having this type of conversation can feel very scary, but it’s important to show your child that they can be open with you and that you can handle hearing how they really feel. So find a calm, private time and start with an observation — something like, “You’ve seemed really quiet lately,” or “I’ve noticed you haven’t wanted to go to school,” or “It seems like the new school year may be really overwhelming.” Then listen before trying to fix the problem. And if you’re worried about suicide, ask clearly: “Have you been thinking about suicide? Have you thought it would be easier to just not be alive?” I know we worry about asking, but the research shows it’s perfectly safe and does not plant the idea. And whatever they say, stay calm, thank them for telling you, and let them know you take their feelings seriously and that you just want to make sure they get the support they need.

How does Bend Health support children, teens and families — and where can parents turn if a child needs help right away?

Bend provides virtual mental health care for all kids — from your kindergartener just starting out in school to your senior in college just finishing up. Our care includes behavioral health coaching, therapy and psychiatric support, as well as specialty services like intensive outpatient services and neuropsych assessments. And we see really great results, with caregivers reporting a lot less stress within their first month of services and a significant drop in symptoms for the child in care. That being said, Bend is not an emergency or crisis service. For immediate crisis support, call or text 988, or if your child is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Families can visit BendHealth.com to learn more about our support and the type of care that’s available.

About Dr. Alethea Varra
Alethea Varra, PhD, is Chief Clinical Officer of Bend Health and a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in mental health and clinical operations. Her work focuses on clinical quality, healthcare innovation and expanding access to evidence-based mental health care.

About Bend Health
Bend Health, Inc., a national provider of pediatric mental health care services for children and families, is on a mission to improve access and reduce the cost of high-quality, expert mental health care. Bend is revolutionizing treatment through its unique collaborative care model that includes coaches, therapists, and psychiatric providers who work with families to provide comprehensive, personalized care plans that help children feel better today, and thrive tomorrow. Through measurement-based care, Bend achieves better outcomes, supporting happier and healthier kids and families, with 14 peer-reviewed published studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the model. Bend’s services cover 20M kids through partnerships with leading insurers, employers, health systems, and self-pay. For more information, visit www.BendHealth.com.

* YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Bend Health

Media Contact
Michael O’Donnell
D S Simon Media
212-736-2727
modonnell@dssimon.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/033640ce-5cc4-4193-8150-fd15ad589ebf