What is a Back To School Necklace? Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s normal to hear everything back at school. Shopping is an activity you hear a lot about right now; After all, going to the store for new school clothes and accessories is exciting for both children and parents.
But when you hear students talking about “back-to-school” necklaces, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re not talking about a cute new piece of jewelry. Instead, it’s a disturbing phrase (which doesn’t seem alarming at first glance) you might hear in a conversation or see on social media. So what exactly is a back to school necklace? We explain.
What is a “Back To School Necklace”?
A quick Google reveals that the phrase “back-to-school” necklace is a euphemism for a noose, and the phrase is used to code suicide by hanging.
In Urban Dictionary, a back to school necklace is described as “another name for a noose. This is because of the utter despair you feel when school starts again.”
Some examples of its use are “I’m about to buy my back to school necklace”, “I can’t wait to get a back to school necklace”, and “I’m 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”, etc.
So while a back to school necklace sounds harmless enough to those unaware of its true meaning, it’s a cry for help because it’s code for death by hanging.
But once parents are aware of this term, they are in a better position to help.
While some parents see this as an alarming trend, others find it an important way to start a conversation about mental health and suicide.
Dr. Coyne, a psychologist, thinks parents should talk to their kids about the trend but warns against using it to scare them.
He explained that it is important to use the right technique when discussing such sensitive topics with children.
It’s also important to remember that talking about mental health should be an ongoing conversation, not just a one-time discussion.
By having these open conversations, we can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and provide support to those who need it most.
What does it mean?
As any parent knows, talking to children about their feelings can be a difficult topic. They may not be as candid with their emotions as we’d like, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel them.
According to Dr. Coyne the best way to deal with the problem, notice the signs and then talk to your child about what you observed. For example, if you think he might be anxious or depressed, you could say something like, “I’ve noticed you’re a little different lately.
You spent more time in your room. This will let them know that you are concerned and that you are there for them if they want to talk.
It’s important to remember that when teens tell us to “go away,” it doesn’t always mean they want us alone.
Maybe they are just having a bad day. So instead of taking it personally, try interacting with them and see if they’re willing to talk. If not, that’s fine too. Just let them know you’re there for them when they’re ready.
It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color, the air is getting colder and the children are going back to school.
For some children, this time of year is exciting. They can’t wait to see their friends and learn new things. But for others, the thought of going back to school is enough to cause anxiety and even panic. If your child falls into the latter category, you may be wondering what you can do to ease his fears.
According to Dr. Fiona Coyne, a clinical psychologist specializing in children and families, one of the best things you can do is try to “unpack” what your child is afraid of.
If they just say they don’t want to go to school, there’s probably more to it. Is there a particular problem you are struggling with? Are they being bullied by another child? Once you have identified the source of your fear, you can begin to address it.
Staying calm is of course also important.
Anxiety is contagious, so if you stay calm and positive, your child is more likely to do the same. And if school absenteeism is common, Dr. Coyne to take your child to a primary care physician to rule out underlying medical conditions.
With a little patience and understanding, you can help your child overcome their fears and enjoy going back to school.
The advice of Dr. Coyne for parents of children who misbehave in school is simple but effective. First, she recommends checking in with the child’s friends and other parents to see how they’re doing.
It’s also important to get to the bottom of what’s causing your behavior. Finally, he warns that he does not want a child to be out of school for a long time. By following these simple tips, parents can help their children solve their problems and stay in school.
Why Is There So Much Anxiety As Students Approach The Start Of The School Year?
Some apprehension is understandable as students anticipate adjusting to a new normal after the summer months. “Going back to school can be 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 go from sleeping in and having a relaxed schedule to getting up early and having busy days.”
And often these struggles feel insurmountable to students. After all, the CDC has revealed that “more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40% increase from 2009.”
“I think it could be a combination of what socialization has been like over the past two years, as well as age,” Westhouse added. “If we think about it now, 13-year-olds were 10 when we were all in lockdown. [They] went to school virtually and missed regular clubs, sports, and socializing. Add in the mass school shootings and what we’ve been up to in recent years. our world. Everything has an impact.”
What Should Students Know About Wearing Or Hearing The Phrase “Back To School Necklace” With Friends?
“Students should know that using this phrase is very serious,” Cavaleri warns. “Joking about hurting themselves and especially committing suicide is not okay. If they have these feelings, they should not be ashamed and seek help. If students hear or see their friends use this phrase, they should tell an adult, even if their friend tells them not to.
Westhouse agrees, saying that even if your child or teen is quick to reject it, they should know “it’s serious, even if they think it’s a joke.” and want to discuss it with the school staff.
How to detect if a child has psychological problems?
Dr. Coyne listed her main factors that indicate that a child suffers in silence:
- Any kind of change in a child’s communication, does he withdraw from social contact? Or spend more time in their room than before?
- Do you want to be alone for a long time?
- Are they on a screen a lot?
- Humor changes.
- Use of alcohol or drugs.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- Not participating in things they used to do.
- Don’t enjoy life.
- Is there a routine of eating or sleeping that is out of sync?
- They may engage in risky behavior, give away their possessions, or say I won’t be around for long.
- You may also be looking for signs of self-harm.
- Trust your intuition.
And even young people are surprised to learn the term. One uploaded a trend calling on others to “record yourself before and after Googling ‘back to school necklace’…
Whether your child has siblings or just friends, Dr. Coyne emphasized how important it is that all children take care of each other.
He explained: “It’s very important to make sure that children and siblings take care of each other. And in doing so, you try to foster kindness and empathy. When you notice that they care about you, you can say, ‘It was nice how you helped your sister” or “… gave her a hug” instead of focusing on their fight.
And even put their advice into practice. I now tell them, ‘If you go into town with your friends, I want you to take care of each other and I want you to take care of your friends too, and don’t let them stay home alone.’ they and take care of each other, because that’s very important.”
How Should Parents Talk To Their Kids About This Trending Phrase?
If you’re not sure how to talk about this, Samantha Westhouse, LLMSW, a maternal and child psychotherapist and social worker, recommends that your child lead the conversation. “Start by saying, ‘I’ve heard about something called ‘back to school necklaces.’ Do you know anything about it?” she advises. “I think an open conversation is always helpful. It’s always important not to judge so that your child feels comfortable sharing how he feels.”
Just making the effort to register can go a long way. “Parents should feel empowered to talk to their children about mental health in general,” explains Emily Cavaleri, LLMSW, a school social worker and child and family therapist. And on back-to-school conversations, she adds, “Share personal stories about what it felt like to go to school every year, especially if you had anxiety issues as a child. Get professional help.” If necessary”.
How To Keep Your Child From This Trend
There are many ways you can steer your child away from stressful things and help him stay away from these kinds of useless tendencies. Some of the basic things a parent should recognize about their teenage years are summarized below:
- Know that anxiety and stress are real in young people!
- Get to know the suicide prevention measures or conferences
- If you think your child is suffering, seek help from a rehabilitation center or licensed physician.
- Help can also be obtained from STC (Suicide Treatment Centers)
- Guide your child through schools
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed almost all the mental and psychology things related to the back to school necklace. How it’s trending on social media platforms and how dangerous it is for students to follow. Parents are doing their best, but are not yet sufficiently aware of these trends and how to deal with them with their children. The back to school necklace is currently a hot trending item among young people.
