The workshop was organised at the auditorium of the Ganga Ram Hospital by the Adolescent Clinic at the hospital and Ehsaas, a school counsellors’ initiative.

The workshop focussed on the role of parents in helping a child deal with exam stress and ensuring a home environment conducive to study. The symptoms, causes and consequences of stress were discussed extensively with parents in an open forum. “Parents undergo symptoms like disturbed sleep, anxiety, appetite, mood swings and withdrawal, like the children do at this time,” said Gupta. “As parents we need to help children relax and concentrate, instead of increasing pressure on them,” he added.

Family pressure, said counsellors, adds to the self-expectation of students, multiplying stress levels. “A child can feel alienated from his/her family and parents if too much pressure is put on him or her,” said counselor Geetanjali Kumar.

Counsellors also emphasised the importance of a correct diet, relaxation and the importance of communication between student and parents. They stressed on the need to allow the child to set their own pace of preparation. Ego clashes, said Kumar, force children to withdraw from discussing their problems with parents.

“If the parent starts having sleepless nights worrying about the child’s future, they need to remember that the pressure on the child is similar, if not greater,” said Gupta.

When asked about what should be done if parents found their ward spending more time taking breaks than spending on studies, child psychologist Priyanka Goenka said, “Different students have different standards and methods of learning, and parents need to help them identify their capabilities and work towards the goal.”