LIVE24SEVEN // Fashion, Health & Beauty
Dr Nikki Mills CORE CLINICS
Clinical Psychologist Dr Nikki Mills of Core Clinics offers expert advice for parents, regarding protecting their children’s mental health and helping them cope with exam stress
In April the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) announced the mental health of children as young as six was being put at risk by test and exam stress. Of the 420 members polled 89% reported testing was the ‘main source of stress’ for their pupils. These shocking facts captured the media’s attention but, sadly, it is not new news.
The NSPCC’s 2014 Childline review ‘Under Pressure’ highlighted how, for the first time, school and education problems appeared in the top ten concerns reported by young people, with there being a 200% increase in the number of counselling sessions provided for exam stress since the previous year.
The testing and exam period can be a very stressful and anxious time for young people. Your child may be worried that they are going to fail, that they won’t do as well as others, or that they won’t get the grades they need for a particular school, course, or job. But whilst an element of stress during exam time is inevitable it’s important not to let it get out of control.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS STRESSED? Common signs to look out for include:
• • • • •
Loss of appetite
Difficulty getting to sleep Unusual tiredness
Headaches or other unexplained aches and pains Irritability
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD?
Encourage your child to recognise when they are feeling stressed and help them to talk about it with you. Listen, offer reassurance and try to avoid criticism by focusing on the effort and not the outcome. Acknowledge and accept that this is going to be a difficult time (for all of you) but that it will end.
Encourage healthy revision. Your child will need to take regular breaks, eat healthily and maybe use exercise to relax. Try to understand your child’s revision methods. Whereas some young people prefer peace and quiet others may find it more beneficial to be around people or have some background noise. Circadian rhythms (body clocks) change as young people mature and it may be the case that they work best at night and struggle more with concentration and attention in the mornings.
/ 42
Dr Mills works psychologically with children, young people, and their families. At Core, Nikki offers assessments and therapeutic treatment for young people experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties using a range of approaches and tailoring her intervention to be most effective and appropriate to the individuals’ needs. Nikki specialises in the field of Autism Spectrum Conditions (sometimes referred to as ASC or ASD) and offers NICE-compliant assessments using ‘gold standard’ tools including ADOS and ADI in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary team (including Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Jo Jones). In addition to assessment, Nikki and her team offer therapeutic support for the person diagnosed, parental support, psychoeducation/training for families and professional supervision and consultation.
Contact Core Clinics (in Hatton, near Warwick) on 01926 801111 for further information or to book an initial appointment, or email
nikki.mills@
advancepsych.co.uk www.corehealthandwellness.uk
/
Try to retain a sense of perspective and don’t place undue emphasis on the testing process. As Childline states ‘exams are important but they are not the only key to a successful future’.
If you are particularly concerned about how your child is coping with test or exam stress, do seek advice from teachers, your GP, or a mental health professional with expertise in working with children and young people.
Dr Nikki Mills
D.Clin.Psych, C Psychol,
B.Sc(hons) is a Chartered Psychologist and HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist at Core Clinics and Advance Psychological Services.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148