Childline issues plea as exam results loom

CHILDLINE is urging young people here worried about their GCSE and A-level grades to get in touch and not suffer in silence.

Over the past two years 70 children from Northern Ireland concerned about results were counselled by the charity, 38 in 2017/18 and 32 the previous year.

In 2017/ 18 across t he UK Childline delivered 1,298 counselling sessions to children and teenagers apprehensive about their exam results and what they do next — a rise of 15% from the previous year.

Concern peaked in August 2017, with just under a quarter of all counselling sessions being delivered during the month when GCSE and A-level results are published.

Figures released by the NSPCC-supported service also showed that girls are much more willing to reach out for help, receiving 74% of all counselling sessions delivered by Childline on exams.

Young people told counsellors they were very worried about their results stopping them from going to university, with many expressing concerns about sharing them with parents and teachers.

Others said they were struggling to cope and that the buildup of pressure as they waited for

Pressure: Mairead Monds

their grades was making them feel stressed and depressed.

Mairead Monds, Childline manager for Northern Ireland, said: “We know that l ots of young people struggle with the pressure of exam results season.

“The desire to get good grades and secure university places can feel like a lot to bear.

“We are also aware that once teenagers have got their results, they can feel overwhelmed by what comes next, especially if they don’t get the grades they were hoping for.

“It’s important they share how they are feeling and discuss their options with a friend, trusted adult or Childline.”

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of Childline, said: “From personal experience, I remember how terrified I was while I was waiting for my exam results and then how heartbro- ken I felt when they were not as good as they should have been. At that moment I felt that my hopes and dreams were shattered and that it was the end of the world.

“As it turned out, I was wrong, so I would like to remind young people that whatever happens with their exam results, there will be plenty of opportunities for them to go on and do very well in their lives. We all have different strengths and qualities and exams are only a small part of what makes you who you are.”

Childline offers free, confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at www.childline. org.uk