A teenage girl with long brown hair sitting at a desk looking at an open laptop, with an older woman, with brown hair and wearing a light brown full-sleeve top, sitting next to her, her left arm outstretched towards the screen.

Mental health support and career guidance to help youngsters ahead of exam results

As thousands of students prepare to receive A-Level and GCSE results in the next couple of weeks, NHS Central East are sharing useful resources to support their mental health at this challenging time, and to help younger people plan for a career in health and care.

Picking up exam results can be both an exciting and daunting experience as candidates prepare for the next stage of their education or the start of their career.

But it is important to remember that results are not the only measure of success and do not define who a person is. If you or your child do not get the exact results you want, there are still many options available. Allow time to reflect and think about next steps and talk through the options to help find the best way forward.

A Level results are due out this Thursday (13 August) with GCSEs following exactly a week later.

There is a wealth of advice and guidance available to support the wellbeing and mental health of young people, including:

  • Young Minds UK – you can find additional useful tips about how to look after your mental health.
  • Mind – dedicated resources for those under the age of 18
  • Childline – 0800 1111 for under-19s
  • NHS Talking Therapies – offering free psychological treatments for anxiety and depression.

For emergency support there is:

Emma Tiffin, Clinical Lead at Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The next few weeks can be extremely challenging for many young people and their families so it’s really important that they’re aware of the services available to support them and their mental health.

“Exam results are of course important but they are not the be all and end all, and there are still many opportunities for young people to advance to the next stage of their education, or career, whatever the outcome on results day.”

Tania Marcus, Director of People and Culture at Central East ICB, said: “Whatever your exam results, there are many routes into a rewarding career in health and care, with opportunities to develop your skills and make a difference to people’s lives.

“You might be surprised at the breadth and choice there is, from art therapists and anaesthetists to social workers and surgeons, there are over 350 careers in health and social care, offering something for a wide range of interests and talents.

“There are apprenticeships available from GCSE to degree level, giving people the opportunity to gain valuable experience, develop new skills and earn while they learn.

“If you’re considering your next step, visit the NHS careers website to explore the wide range of roles and pathways available.”