Supporting Our Learners Beyond the Classroom: A Call for Empathy and Care

It’s that time of the year again—schools are opening, and our learners are back!
For most parents, it’s quite the relief. They are happy to hand over the baton, and we are excited to take over.

As a school counsellor, I often find myself standing between relief and anxiety. While many learners are eager to reconnect with their friends, share their experiences from the holidays, and meet their new teachers and classmates, others return carrying invisible baggage. They may be anxious about transitions; some have experienced life-changing events, broken families, loss, and even the academic pressure that comes with joining the next grade.

I can’t help but wonder if the Jane who left two months ago is the same Jane walking back through our gates. Are we getting a better version of Jane—or a shell of who she once was?

The emotional reset that comes with a new school year is often underestimated. Unprocessed emotions don’t always show up in words; they appear in behaviour—withdrawal, tears, or changes in attitudes towards self and others.

We do not have to wait for cues to offer support. Just as we give vaccines to prevent illness, we can be proactive in supporting our learners’ emotional well-being. Creating safe spaces, normalising conversations about feelings, and checking in early can prevent small struggles from becoming overwhelming challenges.

Intentionality in leading with empathy and care sends a powerful message to our learners that we see them, we care, and we are here to help them navigate this journey.

I invite all parents, guardians, and educators to be intentional and deliberate about learners’ mental health, and to respond with care and empathy in their daily interactions.

Happy New School Year!
Counsellor Mercy