A youth mental organisation has launched online resources for parents whose children are completing the HSC, to help them cope with stress that accompanies the exams.
Youth mental health organisation, ReachOut, provided support for parents for the first time ever this year, as 77,163 students begin their HSC exams across New South Wales.
The first exam — English — is scheduled for this morning.
ReachOut chief executive Jono Nicholas said the organisation’s digital platforms see an influx of activity in the lead up to the HSC, with more than 130,000 people having accessed its study and stress related content last year.
“We literally received tens of thousands more visits than we normally would, particularly to our services on exam stress, as you would expect, but also just to our general services on depression and feeling down,” he said.
“This, for many, will be one of the most stressful experiences of their life.
“As a mental health service we wanted just to let them know that we’re there for them, but also that there is life after these exams and life can get better if they’re going through a tough time.”
Mr Nicholas said parents often experience the same intensity of exam stress as their teens, prompting his organisation to this year launch targeted resources.
“They really worry about their kids putting too much pressure on themselves,” he said.
HSC can be as stressful for parents as students: mother
Claire Sauerman, whose daughter Roxy will begin her HSC exams today, is familiar with the pressure of HSC exams.
“For a lot of parents it can be as stressful as it is for the student,” she said.