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The Samaritans says students can feel pressurised into hiding exam stress

Samaritans is urging young people in Wiltshire stressed out about exams to contact the charity for completely confidential emotional support any time of the night or day.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Panic, anxiety, fear about the future, guilt and despair are just some of the feelings students may be going through during the Summer examinations period and the work on the reliability of the exam assessment system by OFQUAL, the new regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England, could further enhance the worries of young people at this time.

"Anyone wanting to talk in confidence to a trained Samaritans volunteer can contact the charity by phone, email, text, face to face or through written correspondence.

"Exams and waiting for exam results can bring on a unique kind of stress for students and parents or guardians."

The charity feras high expectations and pressure from parents, teachers or friends can push students to the brink, particularly when they feel their results don't quite meet those expectations. Learning how to recognise when they're under stress is one of the first steps towards dealing with it.

Samaritans Schools Consultation Officer, Amanda Edmondson said: "Talking about your feelings puts you back in control and reveals the choices you have.

"Many people feel pressured into hiding their feelings out of embarrassment or concern, not wanting to burden family or friends, but hiding under a calm exterior only saves the problem for later and stress can build up until it becomes unbearable."

Relationship Psychologist and Agony Aunt, Susan Quilliam, said: "The thing to realise is that if you know yourself you have done your best then nobody can ask anything more of you.

"Of course you will feel stressed and of course you will want to do well and that is the point that you may want a little extra support if you feel you are not coping.

"Talk to your mates and family and remember that someone from Samaritans is there to listen 24/7 however big or small the problem seems, if you feel you need a little help then just pick up the phone."

Mrts Quilliam's top tips to help young people get through the tough exam period: 1: Keep healthy. Eating sensibly, taking exercise, getting a good night's sleep and limiting alcohol and coffee can all help you stay physically on top of your game.

2: Study effectively. Make a revision list, set up a supportive environment, work through the topics steadily, take regular short breaks and swap support with friends by forming a study group.

3: Manage external pressures. Talk to those who care for you about how well you can realistically be expected to do. Put expectations in context and help them understand that pressuring you isn't helpful.

4: Manage internal stress. Concentrate simply on doing the best you can - no one can ask more of you. If you don't get the results you want there are always other options, some of which may actually suit you better.

Samaritans has been working in schools for many years and launched its schools programme DEAL in October 2006, Developing Awareness and Learning, to improve the emotional health of teens across the UK and Ireland and equip them with the emotional skills they need to cope with society's everyday pressures.

DEAL goes to every secondary school, to be used as part of a 'whole school' approach to emotional health and wellbeing. It builds on extensive work Samaritans has done with schools and will actively promote the emotional wellbeing of young people, raise awareness of emotional health, promote positive ways of coping and challenge the stigma around asking for help.

Samaritans will be piloting a new suicide and self harm response kit in schools from September for people who are struggling to cope.

8:34am Saturday 17th May 2008

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