Back-To-School can be among some of the most dreaded words to children and teens, and while a little a flutter of anxiety is normal on the first day back it can become serious if it's not dealt with effectively.

Therapist with High River Addiction and Mental Health Services Melynda Hatton-Feamley says it's normal for kids to have butterflies about going back, but it can get out of control and there are signs to watch out for.

"If there's a change in their behavior, sleep patterns, mood or the way they spend time with their friends or doing the things they love. If there's any kind of dramatic shift in any of that it's a good time to question what's going on for them."

She says getting adequate sleep, a healthy diet and doing things they love to do can contribute to the overall mental health of your child.

They will be offering free workshops in the coming weeks on how to effectively deal with the anxieties of going back to school.

"Homework can be a stress, everything can be a stress, it's just the way the child perceives it or the kind of coping strategies they have in their life and the things that are going on around them can impact that."

She says the anxiety of going back-to-school can be as real for children and teens as stresses are in the workplace are for adults and adds it's important for kids just to be kids.

"There's a really great book called The Last Child in the Woods. It talks about kids not being able to be in nature or having free play because they're so regimented with homework and then also many different curricular activities so there's this idea that kids still need to be creative and we're really losing that."

For more information or to register for a free workshop related to coping with back-to-school anxiety call the Addiction and Mental Health Intake Line at 1-877-652-4700.