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NHS trust offers mental health support for students receiving exam results

Students receiving GCSE and A-level results will be able to text a number to access support for stress and anxiety

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22nd August 2024 about a 2 minute read
Recognising stress is very important, as many young people are under a lot of pressure but they might not know what some of those symptoms are. If you are experiencing extreme stress you might be experiencing stomach problems, insomnia and headaches. A lot of people find it hard to relax and might withdraw from social activities.” Jodie Olliver, head of service for mental health at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

A health trust is offering mental health support for students receiving their A-level and GCSE results this month.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) is offering to help students who are feeling anxious or overwhelmed through a text messaging service. Students are asked to use the ‘Text SUSSEX to 85258’ service to access support.

SPFT say the service offers a free, discreet and confidential way for young people to get help via their mobile phones.

Jodie Olliver, head of service for mental health at SPFT, said: “Recognising stress is very important, as many young people are under a lot of pressure but they might not know what some of those symptoms are. If you are experiencing extreme stress you might be experiencing stomach problems, insomnia and headaches. A lot of people find it hard to relax and might withdraw from social activities.”

The trust’s CAMHS service also prepared a podcast, in collaboration with experts by experience, offering tips and tricks on how to deal with exam-related stress.

The trust gave some examples of signs of extreme stress or anxiety:

  • Being unable to relax or switch off because you are preoccupied with thoughts of exams
  • Becoming withdrawn and not wanting to socialise
  • Insomnia, excessive tiredness or loss of appetite
  • Becoming aggressive or negative
  • Very low mood, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

It offers the following advice to students about how to cope:

  • Share your feelings with others if possible – talk to your friends or family about your current emotions
  • Plan results day – have somebody with you when you collect your results if that would alleviate some anxiety
  • Keep distracted – keep yourself as busy as possible with friends and hobbies so you don’t just focus on the results over the summer
  • Receiving disappointing results can feel like the end of the world, but it is important to remember that not everyone performs at their best under exam condition
  • Prepare for the best and worse outcomes.

Sussex Partnership is also providing  resources for families, carers and professionals, including a series of pre-recorded webinars with advice on how to support young people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

A-level students received their results last Thursday, while GCSE students will receive their results today.

FCC Insight

Since the pandemic, rates of mental ill health among young people have soared. One in six children aged 5-16 are estimated to have a mental health problem, while the figure for those aged 17-19 is one in four. Older teenagers will have experienced the stress of living through the Covid lockdowns, with time away from school and friends and the comfort of a familiar routine. The text service offered by Sussex Partnership to offer help and advice is a simple idea, but it will, we hope, provide needed support to those affected by the anxiety and stress of waiting for and receiving exam results.