From the 30th October – 3rd November The Gifted will be supporting International Stress Awareness Week, focusing on ‘Beyond Stress Management: From Stigma to Solutions’. Over the last 10 years The Gifted has found that stress can play a huge part poor behaviour and lack of concentration in the classroom, and realises that spotting signs of stress earlier rather than later is essential.
What are statistics saying?
“According to Cigna International Health’s 2023 survey of almost 12,000 workers around the world. 91% of 18- to 24-year-olds report being stressed, compared to 84% on average.” https://lifestance.com
The effects of the pandemic continue to be demonstrated through a deterioration of mental health with “young people in the UK having a higher mental health need than ever.” With “1 in 6 young people in England (aged 5 to 16) having experienced a mental health problem in 2020, up from 1 in 9 in 2017.” NHS Digital 2020
In March 2020 as the Coronavirus was breaking out and schools were starting to close, the Children’s Commissioner asked almost 2,000 8 to 17- year-olds in the UK about stress, “two thirds (66%) of the children said they felt most stressed about homework and/or exams, ahead of worrying about what other people think of them (39%) and bullying (25%).” Children’s Commissioner Blog.
Spotting signs of stress
There could be so many reasons that a child feels stressed. These may or may not relate to what they are facing at school. There are so many factors to be taken into consideration nowadays; media, social media, friendship groups, family life, etc.
When experiencing challenging behaviour in the classroom it can be hard to look beyond the behaviour and see the triggers. However, stress can manifest itself in many ways, and sometimes is not as obvious to detect.
Here are some more subtle signs that a pupil may be struggling with stress…
- Decline in attainment – when feeling stressed, motivation may decrease as a result. This may start to be displayed in a decline in grades or quality of work produced.
- Reduced confidence – an emotional reaction to stress can be that confidence levels take a hit. The person may become withdrawn and lose interest in interacting with their friends and socialising.
- Lack of concentration – the stress response impairs our ability to think and function. Stress can result in poor concentration and memory because our minds are too worked up to focus. Trying to study when stressed is often unproductive, distracting, and can even provoke more stress. (Brigham Young University)
- Increased need to go to the toilet – stress can manifest itself in the physical wellbeing of an individual, this could show as changes in their weight or in their constant need to be excused to go to the toilet, because of nausea, diarrhoea or constipation.
Tackling stress in teenagers
Whatever the signs or symptoms, in left unchecked stress can have serious long-term effects on the individual. Knowing how to cope with stress is an essential part of life, not just in teendom. This is not always addressed or acknowledged at home, and can sometimes be a cultural taboo.
It is important that teenagers get the help and support they need to thrive emotionally, as well as academically.
That’s where The Gifted come into the equation. We realise that teaching is an extremely demanding responsibility, and that it is not always possible to address or support the emotional wellbeing of students.
We work with teachers and schools to provide workshops and assemblies that help students first of all to recognise if they are stressed, and then to provide them with tools to cope with and reduce stress levels.
If you would like to find out more about how we can support you, please get in contact.
