Exam stress heating up Students bottling up tensions ahead of matriculation
SCHOOLKIDS are more stressed out than ever over exams and are not reaching out for help with a new national survey finding 80 per cent of teens battling exam stress are bottling it up and not telling anyone.
As Territory kids prepare for their exams, which are just a month away, the survey reveals one in two school stu- dents aged 14-18 are showing worrying levels of stress, with the number one source of pressure coming from themselves.
Pressure to perform from parents and even teachers also rates high for many.
One third say they are stressed about not being able to get a job once they leave school and 40 per cent are worried about getting into the right university degree.
Online youth mental health service ReachOut conducted the April online survey of 500 students nationally.
The research is particularly interesting as it shows students right through high school, not just Year 12, are feeling exam stress.
ReachOut chief executive Jono Nicholas it was important for families to “break the cone of silence” and realise help is just a click away.
“Our kids feel more stressed than ever,” Mr Nicholas said.
“The key for parents is to not take this silent stress personally or see it as a sign of failure.” Jo Briskey, executive director of The Parenthood, welcomed any extra resources for parents.
“Parents need help too. It’s difficult to navigate adolescents at the best of times and particularly in times of stress for them it can be quite challenging,” Ms Briskey said.
“It’s really concerning to hear so many kids are strug- gling an not seeking help.”
Louise Davis, clinical practice manager at Kids Helpline, said stress among teens was increasing and that was reflected in the contacts to the service.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham sympathised with students, parents and teachers entering exam period.
He encouraged kids to seek out resources like the Federal Government’s Student Wellbeing Hub.