The Problem
The problem that our roots and shoots project will help to solve is to alleviate school-wide student stress during the exam period. The approach we will take is to create helpful and effective resources (posters, videos, a toolkit card on how to manage stress in 4 easy steps) that can be shared throughout our school, that will help students feel less stress and possibly happy while taking their exams. Teenage stress has become a huge problem across the United States and the world, negatively affecting millions of kids. According to a recent national survey of teens, by the Washington D.C-based American Psychological Association, 27% feel “extreme stress,” with 55% feeling “moderate stress,” 29% of high school students feel ”sad or hopeless” almost every day, and 40% feel “irritable or angry.” This is not healthy at all. Surveys and clinical studies show that teens across America experience stress-related anxiety (36%), fatigue (36%), headaches (32%), and depression and sadness (30%). Stress affects sleeping habits in 26% of teens and eating habits (skipping meals). The source of teen stress ranges from difficult family situations, challenging friendships and peer groups, to school, and after-school work. Suicide statistics suggest that 15-24 year olds experience the highest suicide rate in America, attributed to distress, hopelessness, and helplessness. 23% of teens surveyed reported that stress can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. We will create stress reducing resources that can be shared throughout our school, that will help students feel good while taking their exams.
