A recent article reporting on rising levels of fear and anxiety amongst children provides a timely reminder to schools to monitor the well-being of their students at exam time.

The West Australian reports that schools and health professionals are experiencing an increase in children who are 'generally fearful about the world'. The article suggests that this increase might be connected with 'Generation Zs' (people born between 1995 and 2009) access to technology and increased global connectivity.  

If such a connection exists, and whether action needs to be taken to address the health effects of increased internet and technology use, hopefully such findings will be revealed by a national mental health survey currently underway.  Back in June 2013, the Telethon Kids Institute in Western Australia announced that the second national survey to look at the mental health and well-being of Australian children and adolescents is underway, with data collectors out and about across the country.

Young Minds Matter survey

According to the Telethon Kids Institute press release, as part of the study more than 6000 Australian families will be selected randomly and interviewed over the next six months as part of the Young Minds Matter survey, looking at the emotional and behavioural development of children and young people aged between 4 and 17 years.

It has been 15 years since Australia's only previous survey covering the mental health of children and adolescents. The co-head of the survey,  Professor David Lawrence, Research Professor at The University of Western Australia, hopes that this time round, the survey will be instrumental in shining new light on how the kids of today are coping with new challenges and new pressures in a changing world.

Quoted in the press release, Professor Lawrence stated that 'these are very different times for children and young people growing up compared to 15-20 years ago. The information this new survey collects will be critical in helping policy makers and service providers best meet the mental health and well-being needs of a new generation of young people.'

Prior to publishing this article School Governance contacted Professor Lawrence directly for an update on the study's progress and when the results are expected to be released.  According to Professor Lawrence, the results of the survey should be with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing by Christmas, with the Department to publicly release the findings at a later date to be determined.

How to help students with exam stress

The publication of the West Australian article comes at a time when year 12 exams are on foot and exams for other year levels may also have started.  The article is a good reminder for all schools to watch out for symptoms of exam stress or anxiety which their students might be exhibiting.  The nature of exams, often scheduled close together and requiring students to demonstrate a year's learning over a few hours, naturally can be a source of stress for some students.  As part of meeting their duty of care to their students during the exam period schools should be vigilant to the signs that a student may not be coping with stress or anxiety and take steps to help them find ways to help them through the exam period.

Headspace and Kids HelpLine also offer valuable resources to assist students to cope with any exam stress they may be experiencing.