A quarter of parents say school pressure leaves children stressed

A quarter of Scottish parents say academic pressure is causing their children to feel stressed, according to new survey organised by Mental Health Foundation Scotland. The charity has told ministers to put mental health at heart of school curriculum or face a growing crisis.

As it launched its campaign “Make it Count” to get schools to get government to focus on methods of preventing mental health issues, the charity published results of a new survey.

It found that 25 per cent of Scottish parents say that academic pressure and exam stress has caused their children to feel stressed. And 31 per cent of parents say social anxiety has caused their children to feel stressed while 58 per cent of Scottish young people say a fear of making mistakes has led them to feel overwhelmed or unable to cope.

In addition, 60 per cent of Scottish young people say that pressures to succeed has led them to feel overwhelmed or unable to cope.

While 53 per cent of Scottish young people say their body image has led them to feel overwhelmed or unable to cope.

Toni Giugliano, the charity’s policy manager, said: “It’s unacceptable that teachers are still not trained in mental health.”