BY HANNAH GRAHAM

Exam season is well underway at schools across the country.

This comes after three sets of mock exams since summer. I haven’t slept a full, noninterrupted 10-hour sleep in more than a year because, like many young people currently at this stage of education, I am under a lot of pressure.

Pressure can lead to mental health issues. It is is a terrible cycle and, if it is not brought under control early on, it can carry on into college - possibly even university - causing many years of endless stress and unhappiness.

The exams we are currently sitting have massive impacts on our current lives and our futures. We are expected to put 100 per cent effort into everything we do and are constantly told of the importance of achieving success.

I feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to go to school, complete homework and revision tasks, complete daily activities like extra curricular clubs, eating and socialising, and still get a good night’s sleep - something we are often told is important to help us succeed.

Mental health is such a current issue that many schools are trying to ensure that pupils don’t get too stressed out with the growing pressures.

Studies have shown that mental health in young people is a bigger issue now that it ever has been, suggesting that the newer, more difficult GCSEs are taking their toll on young people.

These facts have yet to be recognised by officials, which is resulting in scores of young people having issues later in life due to mental health issues that sprouted in their later school years but were never addressed.

There are many youth groups running projects aimed at young people suffering from stress or other issues, however there are not many adults, particularly those working in schools, taking extra-precautionary measures to ensure the mental health of young people is well.

I believe that tutors and teachers should closely monitor their students’ behaviour.

Stress is closely linked to bad performance during exams, and could link to further mental health issues or illnesses.