A new app has been released for students to help each other manage stress during their end of year exams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As schools around Ballarat move into the third week of the November VCE exam period, many students are feeling the pressure.
Data from youth mental health organisation ReachOut showed 50 per cent of 15-18 year-old respondents displayed worrying levels of stress over exams, with most pressure coming from themselves.
The Youthbeyondblue and Reach Out app ‘The Check-in’ gives advice on how to start and manage conversations about stress and anxiety.
CEO of beyondblue Georgie Harman said app will help young people manage their own mental health and impact positively on their friends’ wellbeing.
“School and university students are heading into one of the most intense and mentally challenging times of the year,” she said.
Speaking from experience, it can be really tough – there’s a lot of pressure, expectation and a fear of failure
- Georgie Harman - beyondblue CEO
“We know that when things get tough, young people are more likely to confide in their friends than seek professional support for their mental health and that’s why we developed the Check-in app – to support young people as they support their friends.”
ReachOut CEO Jono Nicholas said the pressures of exam time are well known in the industry.
“With the increased focus on performance determining university entry and future career paths combined with increased social pressures and distractions creating a ‘perfect storm’ for exam stress,” he said.
“Helping parents and friends to talk things out and support a young person during this stressful time is really important.”