As a clinical psychologist, I often encounter the impact of the stress of exams on young people already struggling with poor mental health.

Below are some suggestions which I shared with the Oxford Education Blog for educators on how to prepare students develop a range of ‘mind tools’ and target driven behaviours to do well in exams, keeping pandemic impact as well as mental ill health in mind. Many are also applicable to parents and carers.

Help in setting small, manageable goals, challenging negativity, creating a support network, actively withstanding distractions and encouraging adequate sleep are all steps to manage depression but also help in learning to establish self-regulation and can be agreed goals.