Exam pressure sent me into a downward spiral – I don`t want other children`s mental health to suffer

....Although the pressures I felt to perform well in my exams stemmed from myself, it’s likely our broader culture of prioritising academic achievement over well being influenced my burning desire to do well. I may have been predisposed to the debilitating illness for other reasons but the scary thing is that all it took to trigger this downwards spiral was the feeling that I needed to be the best – at everything.....   ...more

Bethany`s Notes: Although not specifically related to athletics it is very relevant material to how students at the high school and college are feeling....the need to always be the best at everything. We need to be okay with praising effort and not outcome...giving feedback that states, Wow..I can see you worked so hard on that project (no matter what the grade, score, or outcome is if it is evident the student put in the work).