Exam stress has been identified as a leading risk factor for suicide in children and young people.
The findings come from a collaboration of academics and other experts at the University of Manchester, known as the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness.
They analysed data from 145 official investigations and found that out of the 20 young people who committed suicide in the run up to exams or whilst waiting for results, 11 were known to be stressed by their exams and 4 died on the day of an exam or the day after.
The Guardian spoke to Professor Louis Appleby, director of the inquiry at the University of Manchester, who said it was “deeply alarming” that exam stress was an underlying factor in child suicide.
These findings highlight the importance of helping children learn to deal with stress, rather than allowing it to build to the level where suicide or self-harm becomes a possibility.
The problem is that children are often remarkably good at hiding signs of stress until it has reached danger levels, especially in the “difficult” teenage years where they tend to feel more isolated and misunderstood.
Our workshops can help teach children the skills they need to self-regulate stress, particularly exam stress.
Find out more and get upcoming dates here.