The St Xavier?s School authorities have decided to introduce stress management classes

Ranchi, April 13: Concerned over increasing stress levels in teenagers, St Xavier?s School has decided to introduce stress management classes in school.

The decision comes after the school observed that an increasing number of students and their parents were visiting counselling centres, which are mushrooming across the city, around exam times to cope with stress.

City-based psychiatrists said ICSE and CBSE boards have to make the syllabus more student friendly to reduce stress levels.

Usha Narsaria, a psychiatrist of Rinpas, sees 8 to 10 students a week in her clinic. She expects the number to increase over exams.

?It?s important the schools address stress-related problems,? she said.

The inability to cope with stress and the increasing suicide rate among students has also worried the school?s management.

The school?s principal, Father Ajit Khess, said many teenagers were confused and unable to figure out how to deal with certain situations themselves.

He said teachers in the school will hold the stress management classes and feedback from parents would also be sought from time to time.

The new course will start after the summer holidays, as the new academic term has already started.

There will be a set of six books, designed for both parents and teachers.

The subject will be a part of the school curriculum and will be available for students from Class VI to X. The course will be taught once a week and there will be 30 sessions in a year.

?We would like to talk to parents before starting the course,? said Khess.

A two-hour session will be held for parents to give feedback about the new course.

?We would also like parents to tell us whether their child has benefited from the course,? said the principal.

Brother Sanjay, one of the teachers who will take the course, said: ?We?ll look into what problems students are facing and counsel them accordingly. We?ll equip students to better deal with their problems and hopefully they won?t hesitate to ask their parents for help if they?re facing problems in future.?

He said there were many students who did not want to talk about their problems with parents, teachers or friends.

Students and teachers at St Xavier?s School welcomed the decision to hold the course.

Nitesh, a Class VI student, said: ?I think it?s a really good idea as the stress caused by increasing academic pressure and the competitive environment is taking a toll on our health.?

?If the school starts counselling services, then there will be no need to visit counsellors, like a lot of people are doing,? added the Class VI student.