When you are 12 years old, what is stress for you? And does the definition of stress change when you are 14 or 16 years of age? If the definition of stress that one has when he/she is 12 or 16 years old is not accurate, what are the consequences of this?
In scientific research, there are many studies that show that children and teenagers can have significant stress in their life and that this stress can increase their vulnerability to mental health disorders later in life. Other studies from the scientists of the Centre for Studies on Human Stress showed that the transition from elementary to high school is a major stressor in the life of teenagers. Consequently, the Centre has created the DeStress for Success program that aims at educating children and teenagers from 12 to 16 years of age about stress.
This project aims to be stimulating, interactive and fun in order to de-emphasize the negative view of stress. It aims to inform children and adolescents about the effects of stress on the body and to train them to listen to the signs that their body sends them in order to be able to prevent and to cope with stress.
The DeStress for Success Program has been developed in close collaboration with school nurses, social workers and teachers.
The program is build around five workshops that offers interactive and stimulating activities.