Stressful time and exams

Last month we once again saw the annual TV news reports of school pupils reacting to their GCSE and ‘A’ level results and, by now, those who stayed on will be hard at work once again, while those who were fortunate to find a place at university will be preparing for their first term.

I’m sure the experience will be, in equal measures, exciting and daunting.

I remember my school days without any sense of nostalgia. All I recall is learning and retaining facts, dates, names, battles, kings, queens, countries, oceans . . . and the ins and outs of an isosceles triangle.

Since then, I have never once had to use my vast knowledge of isosceles triangles. But next time you see me, by all means ask and I’ll explain. It’s a great cure for insomnia . . .

Today, the pressure on pupils to do well in exams is enormous. The build-up before taking exams can cause all sorts of stress to many school children.

More stress can follow when they get their results, because the fact is, not every pupil will pass all their exams.

I wish they could be reassured that failing exams in your teens doesn’t mean you won’t succeed after you leave school. Great opportunities can await you no matter how old you are.

Samaritans Cymru say lessons in emotional and mental health should be compulsory so pupils can learn to cope with life events and to ask for emotional support. That would reduce emotional distress and the stigma of mental health.

That they consider such a stigma exists in 2017 I find quite shocking – as are these statistics . . .

18,000 youngsters in Wales were referred to mental health services in 2016 and in 2015 almost 1200 young girls in Wales were admitted to A & E because they’d self-harmed.

I think the sooner those sensible recommendations of Samaritans Cymru are implemented, the better.