More than the peer pressure, it is the huge parental expectation that is driving some students into a psychological tangle before the examinations. As such, parents need counselling more than their children to reduce the pre-examination stress on students, psychologists and psychiatrists working with a Helpline point out. The word of caution comes ahead of the Class XII Board examinations that get underway throughout the country from March 1.
“Most of the parents expect their children to be in the ‘90 per cent’ category in Board exams or want them to crack the IIT or pre-medical entrance tests, putting massive strain on them. Instead of pinning unrealistic hopes on their wards or pushing them to the limit, parents should rather fortify their morale and create conducive atmosphere at home to reduce examination-induced stress,” says Dr Ashok Chacko, the Regional Director of Delhi Mental Health Helpline .
Ahead of the exam season, the Helpline has put in special arrangements like 24x7 service and assistance from counsellors who are better trained to handle the students and parents. The counsellors would also call back the students for follow-up assistance. Besides, it is also sending messages to all the prominent schools in the City to alert about the need for stress-busting sessions.
“The pressure on students is compounded by the fact that they have not only to write the Board examination but to also appear in the career-making tests for the IITs as well as other engineering and medical colleges,” he points out.
The Helpline, which was inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in October last year, is a collaborative effort of the Vandrevala Foundation, Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA), St. Stephen's Hospital and the Mar Thoma Church. The Vandrevala Foundation already runs a 24x7 helpline in Mumbai. Some amount of stress is inevitable before the Board examinations, but it can be managed by striking a judicious balance between a student’s study schedule and stress-releasing activities like exercising or getting adequate rest, according to psychologist Dr Zaki Shah.
“The idea is to break the monotony of continuous study. It is unreasonable to compare your child with others or setting a percentage target for him or her. What is important is that at least one of the parents should be at home and be supportive to the child,” he says.
For more details please contact :
Tel no : 011-30882008 / 30882009
E-Mail : centraloffice@eha-health.org / info@eha-health.org
Website : www.eha-health.org
Source : Press Release