NEWSFLASH!
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/may/14/calls-to-childline-over-exam-stress-break-records
The numbers are in, the election is over and I’m guessing that many households in Cheltenham and surrounding areas are now totally focusing on exams.
The pressure these exams have on young people is extraordinarily high, and personal, parental and scholarly institution expectations of good results even higher!
Can you imagine what’s going on in young heads? No wonder that the pursuit of good results also results in depression on a large but mainly – silent scale. For some, this inability to cope with so much expectation heaped upon them will lead to mental health problems – sometimes lifelong, self-harming and in the saddest of all cases – suicide!
The statistics alone make depressing reading! Be prepared – they are shocking!
“A third of children have considered suicide by age 16, survey shows:-
Stress at school is the biggest contributor to depression, self-harm and attempted suicide among young people, according to research published today.
Almost a third of children (32 per cent) have considered or attempted to end their own life by the age of 16, a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 young people across the UK suggests. And 29 per cent of respondents said that they had harmed themselves on purpose, according to the findings released by new UK-based charity MindFull.
Stress at school was found to be the main cause of depression among young people, cited by 54 per cent of those surveyed, followed by worrying about the future and low self-esteem.” (https://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6342512 )
Many schools, particularly private schools in Cheltenham have ‘pastoral care’ for students because they are aware of the problems their students face. However, there is evidence that an ‘embarrassment factor’ of seeking such help rears its ugly head. And in an environment that breeds bullying – how could it possibly be embraced?
Until mental health can be destigmatised how can parents help their children through this minefield (mindfield?)?
For simple exercises, coping tips and more information with no obligation, please email me in confidence at linda@welcomecoaching.com and for sessions in stress reduction and tools and techniques to calm the mind and focus it please make an appointment.