Students struggle
GEELONG students are struggling more than ever, with the region’s youth support network noting a record spike in mental health referrals.
Geelong headspace director Malcolm Scott said staff had seen 500 more inneed students walk through the doors over the past few months than during normal peak times. “We’ve been the busiest we’ve ever been,” Mr Scott said.
The support body has seen 1200 new client presentations since the start of the exam period.
GEELONG students are struggling more than ever, with the region’s youth support network noting a record spike in mental health referrals.
Geelong headspace director Malcolm Scott said staff had seen 500 more in-need students walk through the doors over the past few months than during normal peak times.
“We’ve been the busiest we’ve ever been,” Mr Scott said.
“Most of the cases have been related to exam stress but it is also linked to interpersonal relationships.”
The support body has seen 1200 new client presentations since the start of the exam period — up from an average of around 600.
Mr Scott said the centre’s caseworkers were “absolutely stretched” to see people within the standard two-week referral period.
While the number of stressed-out students seeking support usually drops off as the exam period comes to a close, this year caseworkers have noted ongoing demand, Mr Scott said.
He said caseworkers were still available to work with those in need and were prioritising the more severe cases.
A 2016 National Union of Students study into mental health found 65 per cent of students aged 12 to 25 reported having high or very high levels of psychological distress, while 67 per cent rate their mental health as only fair or poor.
Seventy-two per cent reported at least one day in the past month when they were totally unable to work or study due to symptoms of mental health problems, while two-thirds of students found their academic experience in general to be very stressful.
Director of mental health foundation Reach Out, Jono Nicholas, said even though most exams had finished, many school-leavers would still be stressed ahead of finding out the final VCE results.
“Our research shows Year 12 students are more stressed than ever and are keeping it bottled up at worrying levels, so this is a good opportunity for them to relax and let off some steam,” Mr Nicholas said.
“While it’s fine to have fun right now and enjoy the moment, we just remind schoolies that they have their whole life ahead of them and that it can only take a split second to do something you might later regret.”
Mr Scott said young people stressed out during schoolies week should remember that help was always available.
“Don’t be afraid to link in with support services,” Mr Scott said.
“There is always support and it is better to seek it then and there.” For support call headspace 9027 0100.