The half-year mark of the year has come and gone, and the year is slowly coming to an end. That means the academic year is heading into the final terms, and learners and students alike are starting to feel the pressure.

Bloemfontein Courant took some time to debrief with a locally registered clinical psychologist Simoné Vink on some important discussions parents and their children should have before the pressure starts closing in. “The second part of the year may bring a whole lot of its own challenges. One may feel a bit fatigued and the longer rest period is just too far away for it to bring comfort. Teenagers may be writing tests and handing in assignments. They may also be participating in sport and for some teenagers, the pressure to perform can become overwhelming,” said Vink

Rinette Enslin is the owner of the Olive Chef School in Bloemfontein and a mother of two teens, a daughter (18) in matric and a son who is in grade 8 (15). The three of them have a very open-minded relationship that allows them to communicate easily about a wide range of subjects that directly and indirectly affect them.

Enslin does the best of her ability to support her children with the resources available to her, by providing them with the most support possible and extra classes in subjects that need attention. “I also do schedule from time to time a session with a psychologist to allow them to get the professional help when needed.” Her advice to parents is that they remain up to date on what is happening in the world. “But, even more so of what is going on in your area that can affect your child. And always follow your instinct it is hardly ever wrong, rather be safe than sorry.

23-year-old Khotso Ramanamane is a final year B. Com Investment Management & Banking student at the University of the Free State. He said that High School, matric in particular, comes with a lot of pressure as the marks you attain in your final exams substantially determine your future.

“How I dealt with the pressure of having to study and perform well was by effective time management that helps in achieving a better work-life balance, as you can allocate time not just for studies, but also for resting as well as leisure … Secondly, by breaking down tasks. There’s a reason a syllabus takes a whole term to teach and not a day … Lastly, by practising self-care. Eating healthy and drinking enough water is essential for your brain during tests as the more focussed and less fatigued you’ll feel from all the hydration, vitamins as well as minerals,” he said.

His mother, Bojosi Jeanett Ramanamane, who is a professional nurse at Free State Psychiatric Hospital, said her children have a healthy mental well-being. She added that talking to her children and making them aware of situations and challenges around them, especially such as the dangers of drugs, was a way for her to help her son and daughter deal with pressure. “Reprimand them from a very young age instead of waiting for them to grow older to reprimand them as it’ll be too late,” she advised.

The experts say…

Registered clinical psychologist Simoné Vink works with children, teenagers, and adults and has a great passion for the career she is in as she sees it as a privilege to share in people’s experiences of life.

She told Bloemfontein Courant that there are a variety of aspects that can cause stress, anxiety, and depressive-related symptoms in teenagers as they go through quite a few developmental and social challenges. “This may include but is not limited to, their developing brains, hormonal and body changes, and academic and/or peer pressure. High levels of stress for some time may also end up causing depression and/or anxiety, especially if no treatment is offered.”

Signs parents can look out for are declining grades, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, changes in sleeping patterns, anger outbursts, changes in their eating patterns, speaking about suicide, and withdrawal from family and/or friends. “They may also complain of physical symptoms, such as headaches, that occur more often. It is, however, important to note that not all teenagers are the same and each individual may experience depressive symptoms in their way,” she highlighted.

Furthermore, Vink pointed out that many other stressors may be present throughout the year. This could be exposure to substances and experiencing conflict or bullying amongst peers. “Social media and chat groups also provide more opportunity for bullying to take place.”

Her advice to parents is that they don’t get lost in the busyness of life as one may not always have the luxury of time. “Spending quality and fun time with your teenager can assist in relieving some stress/ pressure that comes from other areas of life … If they are already hard on themselves, and a parent adds further pressure regarding academic or sporting achievements, this can overwhelm them and they may not have the emotional capacity to cope with it,” she said.

According to her, a parent can be supportive and involved by listening without judgement and understanding their concerns and challenges. “If they can trust you to have their best interest at heart, it may be easier to open up about mistakes or challenges that they are facing. The teenage years may put a parent-child relationship to the test, but your child needs you at this time of their life. When things in their own lives feel chaotic, a parent can provide a tremendous amount of support by just listening and assisting in whichever way is possible.”

Vink believes that parents within the city are open to assisting their teenagers when it comes to mental health but there is still room for awareness as “Mental health awareness is an important focus in our lives today … We need to continue to raise awareness so that more individuals and teenagers can get the help that they need,” she urged.

Gypseenia Lion
gypseenia@mahareng.co.za