ChildLine offers support following exam results

ChildLine is encouraging young people to contact the service by phone or online with any anxieties or worries arising from their exam results.

Elaine Chalmers, area manager for ChildLine in Northern Ireland, said: “Although many young people will have been enjoying the break from school, we understand that for many, their minds will have been on exam results.

“We hear from lots of young people each year who are anxious, worried or panicking about their results. We want to let them know that they are not alone and that ChildLine is here to listen to them.”

Parents, family and trusted adults can help young people who may be worrying by making space and time to ask them how they are feeling about their exam results and talking to them about their concerns.

If young people haven’t got the results they had hoped for, then ChildLine has the following top tips:

· Tell someone how you are feeling – a parent, carer, friend or teacher. Or if you want to speak to someone anonymously you can contact ChildLine in confidence.

· Look at the options that are available to you such as re-sitting, going to another university or college or changing to a similar course.

· If you are able to re-sit think about what you would do differently – you may need more help with revision or there might be one area that you need to concentrate more on.

· Don’t think that your whole future will be determined by your exam results - it’s not. There are lots of things out there for you to do and gain experience in. Speak to your guidance counsellor or even a career advisor about the options available to you.

There is also lots of help, advice and fun things to do on the ChildLine website – www.childline.org.uk. Young people can write on message boards where they can talk to peers in the same boat and offer support to each other. They can use the creative tools to express their feelings, watch videos and talk to a counsellor via private messaging.

The helpline is also available to anyone who wants to speak to a counsellor about their results on 0800 1111.