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Stress tests ahead for parents and kids

Depression and stress were found to be significantly associated with the number of adverse events in the student’s life that occurred in the past one year.

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As students gear up for the examination season, counsellors, parents, teachers and mental health experts are keeping their fingers crossed. For them, the season for anxiety has arrived.

Even as the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education announced the schedule of the Secondary School Certificate (March 4 to March 19) and Higher Secondary Certificate examinations (February 23 and March 19) on Tuesday  DNA accessed a national study that says depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) are significantly higher in the board classes — 10 and 12 — compared to classes 9 and 11. The scores in the three domains — depression, anxiety and stress — were found to be remarkably correlated; the study also said that depression among females was significantly more.

The study conducted on 242 adolescents belonging to classes 9-12 from various schools was meant to study depression, anxiety and stress among students belonging to affluent families and the factors associated with high levels of DAS. It was conducted by experts from the department of community medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, and GTB Hospital, Delhi, in 2008-end and published in the latest edition of the Indian Journal of Pediatrics.

Depression and stress were found to be significantly associated with the number of adverse events in the student’s life that occurred in the past one year. It suggested proactive steps at the school and community level for improved ‘parent-adolescent’ communication.

The timing of the study is significant. Mumbai has witnessed three reported cases of suicide among adolescents, all with an apparent link to academic pressure. The Union health ministry also said that over 16,000 school and college students in India committed suicide between 2004 and 06, while another study conducted by Vimhans in Delhi said that nearly 80% students report a higher degree of stress close to examinations.

“Seventy-two per cent students complain of acute anxiety, lack of sleep, lack of motivation and lack of hunger. Some even say they find it very difficult to cope with stress,” said Dr Jitender Nagpal, a psychiatrist with Vimhans.  

“These are important signs of warning for parents and teachers who need to understand that any sudden change in child’s behaviour has to be taken seriously.” A preference to be alone, staying withdrawn and silence are all signs of alarm for parents.

“On an average, about 50 students call us up and the number triples as examinations near. The most common concern is the fear of failing in exams or getting poor marks. Many students talk about the fear of getting rebuked by parents for getting poor marks, fear of forgetting answers and not completing the course in time,” said Vijay Sehgal, a counsellor with the Delhi government.

The human resource development ministry claims that it has taken various measures to reduce examination-related stress. While the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced optional class 10 board exams from next year, it has also encouraged internal assessment of students based on a continuous and comprehensive evaluation.

However, experts feel that there is also a trend where students are setting high goals for themselves. “Children are setting very high targets for themselves since they want to be successful in life,” Vinita Kaul, a child counsellor with CBSE, said.

Experts also said that parents need more counselling than children. “Today’s children need lots of patience, tolerance, compassion and careful handling. Parents need to value their child more than his/her marks. The government has already taken a great step by removing 10th boards. The next big step would be educating parents who tend to force their dreams on their child.
One has to accept the child as he or she is. A child needs his/her
parents’ support when he/she is slipping. But instead of pulling them out, they tend to push them back. In fact, I have seen many parents under severe stress during their children’s examination,” said Dr Nagpal.

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