Stress Awareness Day: Childline is there to help young people
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TODAY is Stress Awareness Day and children and young people can also feel stresed or anxious. As parents and carers, you can help your children deal with their feelings by spotting the signs of stress.
Children commonly contact Childline when stressed about things like school, exams, and perhaps in some family situations.
Stress can start as a simple worry and grow into panic, and leave you feeling shaky, nervous, tired, frustrated or upset.
Some children may try to hide how they are feeling because they worry they won’t be taken seriously, believe others won’t understand or feel that no one can help them.
Adeniyi Alade is head of Childline for Scotland.
He said: "If parents notice their child is experiencing sudden mood or behaviour changes, sleeping problems, a drop in academic performance or changing their social habits and avoiding others, it’s possible they have something on their mind. And it’s important to have a conversation with them.
"Parents can ask their child how they are feeling, and if there is anything wrong. Whatever their concern, is it’s important to be understanding.
"Parents can also help by exploring ways for children to manage their stress. Some children find it helpful to write or draw about their thoughts and feelings while others find exercise or sports can help them relax.
"There are lots of places young people can get support, including the Childline website where they can get advice on dealing with exam stress, visit our message boards or even use an art box to draw through what they want to happen and look at potential next steps.
Adeniyi said Childline is there for every child and young person and its specially trained counsellors are also ready 24/7 to discuss worries about stress and other concerns free on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk
