International Stress Awareness Week is a major annual event focusing on stress management and campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues. This year's theme is 'Working Together to Build Resilience and Reduce Stress.'
Stress is something we will all experience in our lives. At the moment in particular, as students begin their mock exams, we are all acutely aware of its impact on our lives.
However, there are any number of reasons why we may feel under pressure at different times. This pressure can sometimes be helpful, keeping us focused and helping us complete tasks.
Stress becomes a problem when we are unable to cope with these pressures and become overwhelmed.
In a recent survey of young people by Mentally Healthy Schools, we found that the top three factors which have a negative impact on their mental health are schoolwork, exams and family. We know that school staff also face many pressures at work, and juggling priorities can cause significant stress.
Here we have collected together a number of resources for students and parents/guardians, to help you and the young people you look after manage and cope when stress becomes overwhelming.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Advice on managing stress at important moments - Anna Freud Centre
Young people’s wellbeing guide for stressful situations - Children’s Society
A guide for young people, by young people, about coping with stressful situations and advice on how to manage them.
Exam stress advice booklet for students – Student Minds
This booklet offers practical tips and advice for students on coping with exam stress and feelings of worry around exam time.
Worth It Guide: Positive Mental Health
Catch it, check it, challenge it, change it: CBT technique – Oxford Health
This worksheet draws on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help young people manage anxious or stressful feelings.
Online stress – Public Health England
In these videos from Public Health England, students will explore the impact of using social media and the stresses it can cause.
PARENT RESOURCES
YoungMinds
For parent resources visit: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
You can call YoungMinds Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am - 4pm, Monday - Friday. They offer detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
Barnardos
Click to read: Parenting teenagers: recognising and responding to anxiety (13-16 year olds)
The parents guide to teenage anxiety and stress - www.theparentsguideto.co.uk