Stress
“A huge amount of stress in young people is as a result of exams and other academic pressures. I think there should be less element of competition and pressure from schools.” Tamzin, 16 years old Stress is our body’s response to pressure. When we encounter stressful situations, our body produces stress hormones that trigger a fight or flight response and activate our immune system. This helps us respond quickly to dangerous situations. Sometimes this stress response can be helpful, as it can help us get through physical pain or fear. But stress can also leave us feeling overwhelmed and cause negative effects, such as long-term poor mental health (72). There are different models to explain what may contribute to the development of poor mental health. Two key models are the Stress Vulnerability Model and the Stress Container. Both show how external stressors and individual vulnerabilities can combine to lead to the development of poor mental health. Sources of stress It is useful to consider what we mean by the term ‘stress’. Stress can come in many different forms for young people. Physical stressors can include late nights, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, lack of routine, poor diet, physical neglect or abuse, poor physical health, and health conditions. Environmental stressors can include poor housing, social isolation, poor education setting, and new environments to adjust to such as moving house or holidays.
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