The tenth and twelfth grades act as a turning point in our children’s lives. At this stage, our children arrive at the crucial decision of which course or programs they would pursue to have a bright future. It is challenging for children and parents to cross this phase without obstacles owing to the quandaries and pressure to perform well. And it comes with its fair share of anxiety for our children.

Exam anxiety is a common problem faced by the younger generation these days. Just like organizational competition for employees, to some extent, this anxiety is contributed by the education system and the cut-throat competition for our children. But have we ever contemplated that, directly or indirectly, this exam anxiety is triggered in children primarily by parents?

In the webinar conducted by CecureUs, our expert psychologist and EFT specialist, Veena Jain, talks about the role of parents in tackling this exam anxiety in children and how parents can offer the needed assistance to support them.

To begin with, let us ask ourselves a few questions.

Are we, as parents,

• Teaching our children that it is OK to fumble/fail or equip them to handle their uncertain moments or failures?
• Conveying to our children the impacts of success and failure?
• Putting ourselves in their shoes and trying to understand their struggles?
• Do we accept our kids’ failures as much as we celebrate their success?

More often than not, parents fail to accept that, just like fumbling employees striving to climb to the top of the corporate ladder, children can be unsuccessful in their attempts, especially when it comes to their own. They project their anxiety, insecurities, and dreams on their children and presume them to live and fulfil their expectations, and in this process, parents forget their actual cognitive capabilities and aspirations.

What is test/exam anxiety?

Test anxiety is a physiological condition that makes people experience extreme anxiety, discomfort, or stress before or during an exam. And this anxiety is most common among those children who are top scorers rather than kids whose scores are average or below average. The main reason for test anxiety is that the top scorers are always met with high expectations from parents and teachers and, to some extent, relatives and friends. These children are not allowed to fumble at any point. This adds to the already existing pressure about the exams and leads to unexplained anxiety and stress.

Symptoms of exam anxiety in children

Test/exam anxiety in children could lead to physical, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive symptoms.

Physical symptoms of test anxiety manifest themselves in any of these forms.

• Rapid heartbeat
• Dryness in mouth
• Stomach ache
• Dizziness
• Frequent urination
• Headaches
• Low test scores

Some of the emotional symptoms that children show due to exam anxiety could be

• Unexplained fear, sometimes leading to hallucinations
• Disappointments that are difficult to overcome
• Anger on themselves and others
• Depression, sometimes accounting for suicidal thoughts
• Uncontrolled crying/laughing
• Feeling helpless/hopeless

Cognitive symptoms of exam anxiety in children are

• Racing thoughts that make it challenging for the child to concentrate on chapters
• Going blank before or during an exam
• Negative self-talk
• Dipping self-confidence

Behavioural symptoms of test anxiety that children encounter are

• Aggressive or Submissive in their responses
• fidgeting
• Substance abuse
• Avoidance; retracting into their own cocoon

How parents contribute to test anxiety in children

• Expectations: either feeding thoughts that their children can perform well or discouraging them that they cannot perform up to expectations, leading to unnecessary anxiety. For instance, if their children try and fail, they push and plant ideas to achieve the impossible. On the other extreme, they convey that the child can never achieve the impossible. There needs to be a balance between expectations and the message delivered to their children.
• Thrusting their desires and unfulfilled dreams onto their children.
• Comparisons. Comparing children with one another leads to anxiety and devastating results. As parents, one should understand that no two children have the same cognitive skills, and comparing them will do more harm than good. The right way of comparison would be to make children perceive their progress on their own selves. This can be achieved by offering assistance through coaching programs. Absolute comparison between their old version VS their new version can be healthy. However, relative comparisons demotivate the child.
• Questioning their abilities instead of encouraging and motivating the children. By stating the sacrifices that parents have made for their children and the resources they provide, parents make children indebted to repay them by scoring high. This way of pulling down the child yields no results. Instead, it shatters their self-confidence and interest in achieving even short-term goals and causes anxiety.
• Critical evaluation.

How parents can help children surmount exam anxiety

Controlling test anxiety consists of three steps.

Preparation, attitude, and handling pressure.

Preparation: To tackle exam anxiety in the right way, children can follow the ABC pattern, where

A represents new topics/chapters, chapters that are not confident enough

B represents topics and chapters that are known but not thorough

C represents topics and chapters that are thorough.

Kids should work towards converting chapters from A to C gradually. But also, they should be conscious enough to not lower from C to A.

Attitude

Understanding a child’s attitude before the exam helps parents boost their confidence. If achieving this seems challenging for parents, they could avail the assistance of a psychologist through their organization’s employee assistance programs. If a child is satisfied with average grades, parents tend to judge and push them to achieve more. Talking with children to understand their perspective contributes to a clear mind for both parents and the child. It also raises their test percentage.

Handling pressure

In a corporate, employees go through tremendous pressure to deliver targets. But they can avail assistance through specific programs to surmount anxiety. Same way, Children should learn to manage stress before exams and not let exam anxiety take over. This can be done by enrolling them in confidence-boosting programs that can help them handle pressure. Sometimes, stress before an exam can act as a driving force and help kids prepare well. But, if it progresses to the point of distress, causing exam anxiety, it should be handled correctly.

Coping with exam anxiety

Parents can follow these simple steps to help their children cope with exam anxieties.

• Understand the child’s learning style.
• Engage in analysing your child’s test papers, help them understand where they have gone wrong, and encourage them with kind words.
• Develop the attitude ‘So What’
• Practice Pomodoro, a defined technique to prepare for the exams.
• Give the child adequate sleep.
• Keep track of their nutritional intake.
• Ensure the child is well hydrated.
• Help your child practice Yoga and Meditation for a calm mind.

As Albert Einstein rightly said, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Several coaching institutes have customized programs for the tenth and twelfth graders to offer needed assistance to cope with exam anxiety. Also, employees in an organization with employee assistance programs can avail the help of a counsellor to help their children cope with exam anxiety. These programs are a boon to both parents and children having a hard time in this phase of their lives.

To conclude, exam scores do not portray children’s brilliance or capabilities. Parents should act as a conscious driving force, be open to their child’s dreams, and help them achieve their aspirations.

Contact Us if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one. Book an Appointment? today or Call us. To receive updates about out webinars, subscribe to our newsletter. Visit our website for blogs, vlogs, and self-assessments on emotional wellness.

The stigma around counselling and mental health is slowly but steadily clearing away, and thanks to the Employee Assistance Program(EAP) in organizations, many have begun to consider visiting a counsellor to better understand or treat their mental health issues. More often than not, we are not sure if it is indeed time to take a leap of faith and set up an appointment with a counsellor to resolve our mental health issues.

We have put together some tips to help you understand if you need professional help from a counsellor to take care of your mental wellbeing.

Before you read on, to know the difference between counselling and psychotherapy, click here https://cecureus.com/differences-between-counselling-and-psychotherapy/

Now, here goes:

You feel that you have no one to talk to or listen to your emotional struggles:

Times have been difficult with many stranded away from their friends and loved ones. This has triggered several mental health issues like fear, anxiety, and depression. Some may find that they have no one to talk to or no one willing to listen to them. If you are under extreme stress and need a listening ear to help you feel better, you may consider fixing an appointment with a counsellor. They are trained professionals who patiently listen to your emotions without judgment and help you sail through difficult times. You can talk to a counsellor through Employee Assistance Programs. A safe space that is confidential, comfortable, and unassuming could do wonders for your mental health.

People who form a part of your support system suggest you visit a counsellor.

In times of doubt or conflict, we reach out to specific people for specific issues, be it relationship issues, work-related stress, or just life in general. They could be our friends, siblings, parents, or partner. If any of them feel that seeking guidance from a counsellor could improve your mental health, it possibly is time for you to consider seeking professional help from a counsellor. Remember that your go-to people may be overwhelmed by their own struggles and mean well. A friend or colleague can suggest or recommend a counsellor through Employee Assistance Program. These programs are discreet and offer complete confidentiality, so you don’t have to worry.

You have been feeling extremes of emotions, are overwhelmed, and find it hard to relax:

We all lose our temper or feel extremely sad, especially after a traumatic experience. You may find it difficult to relax and could be constantly sad and angry, alerting you about your mental health. If you have the urge to cry more often than not or find yourself snapping at others and exhibiting behaviours affecting your day-to-day life, it could be time for you to consider professional help personally or through Employee Assistance Programs. There are self-help assessments organizations offer through their Employee Assistance programs that help you better understand your mental health. Some other things that call for a trip to the counsellor are sleeplessness over long periods (more than a couple of months), feeling restless for seemingly trivial issues, extreme anxiety, and depression. There are curated programs and workshops in EAP that target issues like sleeplessness, stress, and anxiety and offer realistic solutions to overcome them.

You feel triggered often and want to be left alone:

Are you wanting to be left alone, no longer want to be around people, including your loved ones, and feel triggered (extreme anxiety, anger, hopelessness, or depression)? If this has been the state of your mental health and you find it hard to return to a better emotional state, you should know that it’s time you sought professional help. Wanting to be alone is not an issue in itself, but if it is uncharacteristic of you, do not hesitate to reach out to a counselor. Employee Assistance Programs offer you the chance to consult a counselor without worrying about the taboo around mental health or your colleagues and friends knowing your struggles.

Resorting to intoxication for better sleep or feeling better:

Alcohol, drugs, or any other form of intoxication do not help anyone achieve better mental health. If you are someone resorting to intoxication to sleep better, forget issues, or avoid what you have been feeling, it’s a mammoth step in the wrong direction. More so if intoxication has started to become an addiction. Schedule an appointment for professional help either personally or through the Employee Assistance Program to help you sort out your feelings and overcome your addiction. Counselors have the right approach and guide you towards overcoming intoxication and addiction issues to get your mental health back on track.

While it is not necessary that you must visit a counselor only for the reasons mentioned above, these are some issues that may warrant an appointment. You may also consult a counselor because you need more from life and feel the need to discuss your insecurities and shortcomings. Therapies have resolved several daily life struggles, including work-life balance, financial planning, relationship issues, parenting problems, trauma and abuse, and even OCD. Studies reveal that employees who have taken therapies through their EAPs have reported resolved issues with an overall improvement in mental health. Counseling sessions, when done right, also help gain perspective, clarity, and self-awareness, further equipping you with tools that enable you to navigate various issues in life.

For more such tips and to know more about seeking help for mental wellbeing, click here https://cecureus.com/category/blogs/employee-assistance-program/

 

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid is nothing but a concept similar to first aid but aimed at assisting people to maintain good mental health and a process to intervene. It is the first-hand assistance offered to any human experiencing new or worsening mental health problems or any individual in a mental health crisis.

Those trained in this field to offer assistance to people going through emotional distress are called mental health first aiders. The duty of mental health first aider is to identify the person at risk and refer them to a professional.

Why understanding what mental health is & mental health first aid is the need of the hour?

The concept of mental health and mental health first aid is still alien to our sub-continent, given the fact we have more than 1,39,000 people succumbing to suicide in 2019 alone, the highest in the last 10 years!

With technology engulfing our physical world, limiting human touch when virtual interaction took over as the new normal, it is high time that corporates educate their employees and human resource professionals on knowing more about what mental health is all about and how to identify people struggling with mental health challenges.

Through the certification course by the Mental Health First Aid India came an opportunity to equip me as mental health first aider. This helped me identify those struggling to maintain mental health and the process of intervening when anyone’s mental health and safety are compromised. This was beneficial in both walks of my life, both professional & personal.

Mental health first aid can be a boon to employees dealing with mental health issues like anxiety, fear, substance use, eating disorders, gambling and addiction problems, etc. Mental health first aiders are equipped with the knowledge to guide and provide assistance to individuals experiencing mental health crises like suicidal thoughts, maniac depression, psychosis, panic attacks, trauma and abuse, addiction-related issues, and other aggressive behaviours until the time they contact a counsellor.

Mental Health First Aid certification for Human Resource Professionals

We still see a stigma attached to any employee who visits a therapist/psychologist in our workplaces. Let us get some perspective on this. A psychologist is similar to your dentist or a personal trainer, who gives you the needed assistance. Obviously, the function varies and is centred around mental health, but the willingness to seek self-help and ensure safety and overall wellbeing is something no human should resist or stray away from.

Know the signs, know how to talk:

As a human resource professional for 7 years with a background in mental health and social work, psychology has always been my prime area of interest. Human interaction and mental health and wellness have been the centre of my work life. With the majority of an employee’s day spent at work, I feel that Human resource professionals should be primely equipped to identify warning signals of employee mental health problems to offer assistance before it is too late.

If you are a human resource professional, you must know the warning signs of mental health issues and crises to offer assistance to employees without delay. Some warning signs to watch out for may be,

• bizarre or unusual thinking
• hallucinations
• decreased social interactions
• dip in performance or sudden loss of focus
• emotional outbursts
• substance use
• guilt or worthless feeling

If any of your employees are experiencing any of the above symptoms, initiate a conversation. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with you?” ask, “How are you feeling?” Be transparent about your concerns about mental health. Let them know that you have approached them in their best interests. Respect the employee’s feelings and do not judge. Be empathetic while talking. Remember that dismissing their feelings or trivializing their emotions will worsen the situation. Know what to talk, how to talk.

The fact is mental health issues themselves are a broad spectrum. This makes mental health first aid training an absolute necessity for human resource professionals. The concept of this certification on mental health first aid for managers and human resource professionals is to read the signals of those employees identified to have mental health issues and empathize with them until a professional intervention is set in place.

Most multinational corporations have EAP – Employee Assistance Program. But the question is, do your employees feel confident to approach these platforms to open up about their mental health issues and seek assistance?

So, what if an employee or a friend of yours starts showing physical distress about a recent life incident. How would you approach them and explain that all humans have emotional vulnerability at some point in life?

Does talking about depression and suicide in humans still taboo for you?

These are the questions that need to be asked and barriers that will need to be removed to become a mental health first aider.

Never underestimate the power of a conversation.

About the Author:

Charles Vinoth F is an International HR Business Partner with Mphasis who comes with an experience of 7 yrs in the field of HR.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with HR specialization from Madras School of Social Work – Egmore, Chennai & A Bachelors Degree in Commerce from Loyola College – Chennai.

HR by profession and an Artist by passion who loves to pause, inspire, and share.

To know more about our Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D,E&I) and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) solutions do write to us at connect@cecureus.com or call us at +91-7200500221.

 

 

The pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have led employees across organizations to acknowledge the high prevalence of mental and emotional distress and mental illnesses. Several employees have begun opening up about their mental health and emotional issues and are seeking needed help and guidance. If you are someone, who is going through any sort of emotional distress, chances are that you have considered assistance through counselling or psychotherapy.

But have you ever wondered about the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

Here are some differences between Counselling and Therapy to help you arrive at an informed decision on the kind of assistance you or your loved ones may need.

1. Counselling VS Therapy – the basic definitions:

Counselling is a practice that considers an individual’s(or a group’s) present emotional and intellectual state and specific issues they face and offers the necessary guidance and assistance to overcome their current problems. The term counselling in the context of psychology roughly translates to ‘to provide guidance.’

Psychotherapy involves psychodynamics (the systematic study of the psyche or the mind) to understand the reason for an individual’s emotional and mental state. Psychotherapy also considers and analyses past experiences to determine the cause of recurrence of chronic emotional distress. Psychotherapy programs focus on past experiences and feelings. Psychotherapy means treatment of the ‘psyche’ or the mind.

2. The practitioners:

Counsellors are qualified professionals to offer counselling. Organizations offer counselling support through their Employee Assistance Programs to employees for their emotional wellness. Counsellors generally need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related courses to take up counselling or wellness programs/workshops, and most of them have a master’s degree. In India, there is no certifying body to qualify a counsellor. But while approaching or appointing one for personal counselling or workshops and wellness programs, an employee or an organization should ensure that they have a master’s degree in psychology, counselling, social work, or a related field. They also need experience in the specific area of counselling they offer (school, relationship, family, addiction counselling, etc.)

On the other hand, Psychotherapists need to have compulsorily finished their masters, with extensive training in psychotherapy programs and field experience in their specializations, before setting up their own practice. Most established Psychotherapists complete their Ph.D., and they cannot practice without an approved license.

3. What to expect in counselling and psychotherapy?

Counselling sessions/wellness programs are educational and informative, providing assistance and additional resources to an employee or any individual or a group to help sort out an emotional situation or a problem. Counselling further helps employees identify the core of their emotional or other troubles and provide the necessary assistance to solve them. The counselling sessions are generally short-term and vary from a few weeks to 6 months, by which time the problems are resolved.

Psychotherapy sessions and programs focus on chronic or recurring emotional behaviours. Sessions may include tests to understand brain activity, cognitive behavioural therapy, and other in-depth treatments to understand the problem and treat the illness or disorder accordingly.

Psychotherapy treatments are long-term and may last up to a year or may go on for prolonged periods, either intermittently or continuously.

4. Focus of treatment:

Counsellors meet clients with relationship troubles, work-related stress, parenting guidance, or someone who needs assistance with a career. Actions, behaviours, and consequences are the prime focus in a counselling session or program. Counsellors also help clients learn skills that may help them mitigate stress, manage relationships, and improve their attitudes towards emotional situations and life in general. Counselling programs further offer assistance to individuals dealing with addictions, grief, or loss.

Psychotherapists treat patients with chronic mental health disorders, including clinical depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, etc. The prime focus here is on the experiences and related feelings of the patients. Individuals under treatment for terminal illnesses also seek out psychotherapists to cater to their emotional well-being. Psychotherapists further help patients dealing with past trauma, PTSD, and extreme mood swings that hamper their day-to-day lives.

5. Cost:

Counselling is less expensive than psychotherapy due to the differences in techniques, periods, and diagnostic tests involved in the treatment programs. However, the costs may vary for each counselling practitioner and the problem that they are dealing with.

Above are the most predominant differences between counselling and psychotherapy. It is usually a counsellor to whom we reach out first, who guides us to a psychotherapist if needed. Employees must be aware of this before opting for counselling.

While it may take a while to find a practitioner who works best for us, the first step of approaching someone makes all the difference in counselling and psychotherapy. Before reaching out to a counsellor or a psychotherapist, it is necessary to understand that trust is of utmost importance.

Contact Us if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one. Book an Appointment today or Call us. To receive updates about out webinars, subscribe to our newsletter. Visit our website for blogs, vlogs, and self-assessments on emotional wellness.