Understanding Stress in School – How to identify and support pupils who are struggling

During Stress Awareness Month, it's important to recognise that stress is a normal and common experience for students in schools. Academic pressure, social and emotional challenges, and transitions can all contribute to stress, which can negatively impact students' mental and physical health, relationships with peers, and academic performance. However, schools can play an important role in promoting student wellbeing by identifying and supporting students who are struggling with stress. In this post, we'll explore common signs of stress in children, the impact of high levels of stress on performance and wellbeing, and how schools can use research-based surveys like The Perceived Stress Scale to measure and address stress in their students.

Students in schools, like everyone else, experience stress as a natural and inevitable part of life. While some level of stress canmotivate students to work harder and achieve more, too much stress can have a negative impact on their mental and physical health, relationships with peers,and academic performance. It's important for schools to be aware of the signs of stress in children so that they can identify and support students who are struggling.

Some common signs of stress in children include:

·      Changes in behaviour or mood, such as irritability or withdrawal

·      Difficulty sleeping and changes in appetite

·      Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches

·      Decreased academic performance and motivation

·      Increased absences an a reluctance to engage

If left unaddressed, high levels of stress can have a significant impact on students' wellbeing and academic success. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, which can in turn exacerbate stress levels and create a cycle of negative outcomes.

Fortunately, schools can take steps to identify and support students who are struggling with stress. One effective way to do this is through the use of research-based surveys like The Perceived Stress Scale. This tool measures students' perceptions of stress in different areas of their lives, such as school, family, and personal relationships. By collecting data on students' stress levels, schools can identify patterns and areas of concern, and develop targeted interventions to support students who are struggling.

For example, a school may use the data collected from The Perceived Stress Scale to identify students who are experiencing high levels of stress related to academic pressure. The school could then implement additional academic support, stress reduction techniques, or mental health counselling tosupport these students and help them manage their stress levels more effectively.

At BounceTogether, we can run The Perceived Stress Scale foryou for just £99. Our team set everything up and provide a unique URL for your students to access the survey. The survey questions are scored, and we provide your school with a professionally formatted report detailing the results. With this information, your can develop targeted interventions to support students who are struggling with stress and promote a positive learning environment for all.

If you are interested in running this survey with us, please click here

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