EDUCATION
IT ’ S GOOD TO TALK
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ’ S SERVICES CONTINUE TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN A DEMAND FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ACROSS KENT . SINCE THE FIRST LOCKDOWN , CASES OF ANXIETY HAVE GROWN WITH YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING PANDEMIC TRAUMA . KEY LIFE MOMENTS INCLUDING EXAMS , TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO COLLEGE , A MOVE TO UNIVERSITY OR CONSIDERING CAREER PATHS HAVE ALL BECOME HARDER TO NAVIGATE WITH MANY HAVING MISSED OUT ON VALUABLE SOCIALISATION AND FEELING GREATER PRESSURE TO MANAGE .
Many parents and carers having been impacted by the pandemic now face financial concerns due to the current high cost of living are also experiencing common mental health conditions and find themselves struggling to support their children as they try to make life choices .
Exams together with other life transitions between learning stages are a point of stress and anxiety for many young people leaving them feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to achieve . Perceptions of school , college , and university differ according to the individual , and the same can be said for the outward signs of stress and anxiety .
A 2021 Childline report revealed that the number of young people who rang their service with concerns about exam stress rocketed from 861 between April and June in 2020 to 1,812 in the same period in 2021 . Exam stress is nothing new , but combined with the lack of in-person teaching , online exams and a new style of classroom support has made some stress harder to manage . It is essential for students to have knowledge of - and , crucially , access to - support and treatment that can help to develop the skills to manage these stresses in an informed and healthy way .
FCS Talking Therapies is the only Kent provider offering virtual reality ( VR ) therapy to people aged 17-25 as a free extension of their main NHS treatment . By distracting the mind away from external stressors through guided mindfulness-based exercises , the nervous system can become more calm allowing for the development of skills to manage thoughts and feelings . An immersive experience into an alternative reality providing therapeutic benefits .
With young people often being responsive to digital mediums , not only is VR a great way to identify with younger audiences but also provides a service that supports greater recovery outcomes for this age range . Therefore , FCS offers an effective service that connects with a younger demographic and uses technology in a positive way to help them manage stress and anxiety .
FCS Talking Therapies remains committed to supporting all Kent residents including young people through the provision of NHS , affordable , private and corporate services offering individual , couples and group therapy . Funding from local authorities including Dover and Swale has provided opportunities to expand community based provision in response to local needs . This is an aspect of FCS ’ s work which continues to be developed and will incorporate the needs of young people with the goal of supporting good mental health .
www . fcstalkingtherapies . org
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