Liam McNally
The end of year 12 is an exciting time of new beginnings, however, it is also a time where young people have been through stressful periods and are being asked to make important choices in their life.
More than 40 per cent of year 12 students report symptoms of anxiety and depression higher than the normal range for their age group, according to The Black Dog Institute.
headspace Melton community awareness officer Melissa O’Neill said although the end of school can be an exciting time, this time of year can bring increased feelings of stress and uncertainty for many young people.
“It can be confusing to feel anxious, overwhelmed or stressed during what is considered an exciting and joyous time, but it is a completely normal response to such a momentous life change,” she said.
“Many young people may worry at this time about how their performance in exams will impact future goals, transitioning out of school life, deciding what to do next and managing the expectations of others, including parents and teachers.
“Whether young people are feeling pressured by internal or external factors, there are ways to manage these feelings and circumstances.”
Ms O’Neill said young people should consider the seven tips for a healthy headspace, which are doing things you enjoy, keeping active, getting good sleep, maintaining social connections, eating well, learning stress management and cutting back on alcohol and other drugs.
“While these things might seem simple, incorporating these into your daily life will give you a good basis to manage the pressure that year 12 can throw at you,” she said.
Ms O’Neill also offered advice to people who may not have got the end of year results they were hoping for.
“We encourage young people to be kind to themselves at this time of year, regardless of the results they achieve,” she said. “Young people should take the time and space they need to recharge.
“Celebrate what you’ve achieved – regardless of results, you’ve done a lot of hard work. Avoid the frenzy of discussing results if you’re not comfy doing so – it’s totally okay to set a boundary and say you’d rather not share.
“We also want to acknowledge that people graduating this year experienced additional challenges due to cost-of-living, natural disaster and COVID-19.
“Young people having a tough time should also reach out for support. That might mean talking to their family, a close friend, or a trusted teacher. There are also professional services available, like headspace.”
