With the rise of mental health struggles in youth and students in particular, finding support and assurance during one of the most stressful times of the year (exam season) becomes important to overall health and wellbeing.
Navigating the exam season can become especially tough when mental health can be considered a taboo topic. Having access to a support system and sharing stories of struggle reduces the stigma that has historically been associated with these types of discussions. Every single student has a story about mental health. Being able to share them is what creates a healthy school community.
So what is defined as mental health?
Broadly speaking, mental health is a culmination of emotional, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing. You would have learnt about the four walls of Hauora in junior Physical Education, mental wellbeing is a part of it!
There are about 800,000 young people (aged between 12 and 24) in New Zealand and an astounding 46,000 in East Auckland alone. It’s important to realise that a large majority of the 46,000 are also dealing with stress, anxiety and other issues.
So why have reported youth mental health rates risen so quickly in Aotearoa?
The research suggests that the answers vary from person to person. The most common contributing factors of poor mental health include:
- expectations created by social media and technology
- poor physical health
- pressure/stress
- changing parenting, family and social contexts
With technology being a cornerstone of our day-to-day communication, it can be easy to start doom-scrolling as a stress-response mechanism… But that only adds to the stress that’s already there. Putting tasks off can take a heavier toll on your mental health. Procrastination is associated with high levels of stress [2]
Tips on managing mental health;
- Have a good support structure
Whether this is a group of friends, family or trusted members of the community, it is important to know the people you can go to for advice. Sometimes they can give you a reminder when you become too stressed or overwhelmed to take a break. Next time you find yourself worrying, look out for the people you reach out to for help, inspiration and motivation.
- Take breaks
Often neglected, taking a break can help you refocus. Many students operate with the understanding that there are too many tasks to finish, too many assignments to catch up on and that they can’t afford to pause during their day. However, taking breaks is essential to prevent burnout and to maintain healthy relationships with others.
- Take a trip to SAS
The team at Student Advisory Services is there to offer support and guidance tailored to your individual needs.
Academic tips to ease stress
- Stop Scrolling
As much as scrolling on reels can seem like the best way to unwind and relax, the endless stream of content inevitably drags you under. Instead, set specific times for social media use and take intentional breaks to engage in other relaxing activities (e.g. participating in a sport, a hobby or spending time with friends, taking a walk).
- Don’t put it off
Procrastination can lead to increased stress and lower-quality work. Addressing tasks promptly and breaking them into smaller, more manageable bite-sized chunks can help you stay on track and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Complete tasks as they arise to maintain a manageable workflow and prevent last-minute cramming. Set reminders!
- The five-minute rule
When facing a homework task you’re dreading or maybe it’s just an email you’re tempted to delay, use the five-minute rule: commit to working on it for just five minutes. Getting started is usually the hardest part. Once you begin, you’ll find it easier to continue. This technique can help overcome the initial resistance and build momentum throughout your day.
Best of luck to everyone with big end-of-year exams coming around the corner, whether that is Cambridge, NCEA or the junior / MCERT curriculum. Take some time to implement these tips to decrease some of the exam pressure!
CW: This article openly discusses mental health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10049005
13th September, 2024
Written by Amelia Hu, edited by Emma Li and Aaron Huang
