Exam stresses are to the fore – but we are here to help

WITH young people unable to sit their exams this summer because of the Coronavirus pandemic, it will have increased feelings of stress and worry for many as they prepared to receive their A-level and GCSE grades.

It’s important our young people do not feel alone, especially if they are disappointed with their results, and are instead encouraged to share what has been a worrying them with their friends or a trusted adult.

Parents and carers can help by not fuelling pressure around achieving particular grades and providing reassurance that they will listen, and not judge, what a young person might want to share about how they are feeling.

It might be they don’t feel comfortable having that conversation and although that might be difficult to accept it’s important their decision is valued and that they have another way to share their concerns.

Between April and July volunteers from the NSPCC’s Childline service delivered more than a thousand counselling sessions to young people across the UK about exams, and our trained counsellors are still here 365 days a year, ready to listen to the concerns of young people and support them via online chat, 0800 1111, and email – visit childline. org.uk.

Joe Sealey, senior Childline supervisor, Childline