Free online mental health support for matriculants
For more info on coping tips, help and resources for learners, parents, teachers and family, go to www.sadag.org
The SA Depression and Anxiety Group’s (SADAG) message to matric learners during final examinations is that you are not alone and that there is always help and hope.
SADAG receives calls throughout the year from matriculants who are stressed out, depressed and overwhelmed by the pressures they face.
Aside from these academic pressures, youth also deal with other difficulties prolific in our country, such as family discord, substance abuse, physical, sexual and emotional abuse at home, trauma, bullying, bereavement and grief.
Free online support
SADAG will be launching a free online matric exams support group, open to all matric learners, every Sunday and Wednesday from 17:00 to 18:00. The next meeting is on November 15.
To join register at https://bit.ly/MatricExamSG or go to www.sadag.org. SADAG will also be hosting weekly live sessions on matric exams discussing coping skills, and how to manage stress and pressure, as well as answering questions live from the audience.
These will be on TikTok every Tuesday at 18:00 and Instagram every Thursday at 18:00.
To join these sessions, follow SADAG on Instagram @sadag_official and TikTok @sadag_official
Well-being matters
SADAG’s schools outreach coordinator Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha said it is really important to change how we talk about final exams for teenagers.
“Right now, there’s an enormous amount of pressure placed on the results of these exams and it can make teens feel like their whole life depends on them.
“While it is natural for learners to experience some form of anxiety or stress around exam time, the weight of the culmination of 12 years of school leading to one final examination can take a serious toll.
“There is an increased amount of expectation from parents, teachers, schools, family and friends that can exacerbate the ‘typical’ exam stresses to harmful levels.
“We want our matrics to understand that while these exams are certainly important, they are not more important than their mental health or their life and the results do not set their fate in stone.
“We’ve seen an increase in schools, parents and matric learners themselves reaching out for help, and thus believe it is critical to not only create more awareness in the media but also to start important conversations on the topic.
“The normalisation of these experiences would hopefully give any at-risk teen the encouragement to reach out, before it may be too late.”
Chris Kemp, a clinical psychologist said supporting matrics during their exams is not just about passing tests or getting the best results, it’s about passing on the message that their well-being matters.
“We can emphasise, without detracting from the final exams’ importance, that their final results do not have to dictate the rest of their lives.
“Learners have access to re-marks, supplementary exams, bridging courses or even alternative means of schooling and education.
“Parents, teachers, family and loved ones need to create an environment in which our youth feel safe to talk about their emotional experiences, to be mindful of their mental health and keep an eye out for warning signs. By doing so, we help them succeed beyond the exams,” he said.
Empathy
Parents, caregivers and guardians have a significant role in all of this. For many youth, the way they feel their family feels about them is of critical importance.
“We want the family to be mindful of what they’re communicating – seemingly encouraging words such as ‘I know you’re going to do well, you’re so smart’ can unintentionally create a heavy weight of expectation,” SADAG advised.
Try and start conversations around your child’s emotional experience or stress level, rather than their study schedule or readiness for the exam – shift the focus away from results and back to experience. Do not underestimate the importance of your capacity for understanding in your child’s life – your empathy is irreplaceable.
Other support channels for matrics:
• SADAG suicide toll-free helpline: 0800 567 567 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• SMS 31393 and a counsellor will call you back.
• WhatsApp 087 163 2030 (7 days a week, 08:00 to 17:00).
For more info on coping tips, help and resources for learners, parents, teachers and family, go to www.sadag.org
