Effy from Skins gives advice on coping with exam results

Thursday 19 August 2010

- For immediate release -

Samaritans offers 24 hour support to anyone in distress

As the time for exam results finally arrives, Samaritans reminds students that, if they need someone to talk to, our volunteers are here day or night.

A recent survey by Samaritans and YouGov found that exams and the pressure to achieve high marks are one of the biggest worries* for nearly a third (30 %) of young people aged 18 to 24 in the country today.

Kaya Scodelario, who plays Effy Stonem in top teen drama Skins, said:  “Exams results are really hyped up. When I feel stressed, I try to relax by taking deep breaths and listening to nice music. Try to remember to be confident in yourself, to tell yourself that you have done your best.

“Also, look at the broader picture - it’s not the end of the world. What is the worst thing that could happen? If you fail you can always retake your exams next year or look at another route to getting where you want.”

Sal Lalji, spokesperson for Samaritans said: “The build up to exam results and then dealing with the reality of them can be a time filled with heightened emotion as young people contemplate their futures. Panic, anxiety, fear and worrying about failure are just some of the emotions that might be running through the minds of students.

“Talking about how you feel can help you gain perspective, feel more in control and find solutions to your problems. If you feel you can’t speak to family or friends or need someone else to talk to, Samaritans is there to listen 24/7.”

People can contact Samaritans by phone tel: 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or face-to-face at, visit http://www.samaritans.org/ for details of your local branch

Image of Kaya at Soccer Six
http://www.samaritans.org/images/press/Kaya.jpg

For more information please contact Robyn Clark Tel: 0208 394 8348 or email r.clark@samaritans.org

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For further information or to speak to a Samaritans spokesperson please contact Robyn Clark +44 (0)20 8394 8348 / r.clark@samaritans.org

Notes to editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2082 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th - 30th November 2009.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

*The poll of 2082 people asked the public to identify their five biggest worries over the past year. For 18- 24 year olds top-five sources of anxiety were money and debt (reported by 54% of people), problems in relationships with family and friends (41%), pressure to achieves high marks and exam stress (30%), workplace issues (29%) and not being in a relationship/lack of sex life (23%).

Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged.  Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.  The service is offered by 16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.  Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 2 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 7 pence applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.