5. Be a Safe Space
Make it clear your teen can talk openly about stress without judgement. Listen more than you lecture.
6. Seek Support When Needed
If anxiety, depression or burnout become overwhelming, seek professional help. Teachers, counsellors and healthcare providers can make a huge difference.
Talking About Mental Health Globally
Across cultures, mental health conversations can be difficult – but silence makes it worse. The key is to talk in ways that validate and support.
- Use open-ended questions: “How are you feeling about your workload this week?”.
- Normalise stress: “It makes sense to feel anxious, this is a big time”.
- Avoid dismissive phrases like “Just relax” or “You’ll be fine”.
- Focus on effort and persistence, not only grades.
Self-Care for Parents
Parents also need to protect their mental health. Exam stress isn’t just your teen’s to carry.
Practical strategies include:
- Carving out small moments for yourself.
- Connecting with other parents in the same stage.
- Practising stress relief – exercise, meditation or unplugging.
- Setting realistic expectations, for both your child and yourself.
Redefining Success
Exams measure academic skills – but they don’t measure creativity, resilience or kindness. Success isn’t a single grade. It’s about how teens learn to manage challenges and grow through them.
When parents redefine success this way, teens feel less pressure and more empowered to approach exams with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Final exams are tough. But with the right support, teens can get through them without burning out. The statistics may be worrying, but they point us toward what matters most: connection, perspective and emotional support.
As parents, we can remind our teens that while exams are important, they are not the full story. The real test isn’t a final exam – it’s learning to thrive in life, with resilience and confidence that lasts well beyond school.
Want more strategies to support your teen through school and beyond? Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @melwhiteparentcoach or visit www.melwhiteparentcoach.com for practical tools and insights you can use right away.
