ABSTRACT

This session is all about relationships, a common source of stress for students and non-students alike! An important aim of the session is to communicate to young people that although they may find their relationships difficult these are probably their most important support and resource for combating stress. Students are first encouraged to discuss which relationships are particularly difficult for them and the ways in which they are stressful. Within the teacher talks are important questions which the teacher should ask the class as a whole to think about. These always prove to be thought-provoking and of interest to the students. Although, like the other sessions, this session is timed tightly, it is important to allow some flexibility for students to introduce issues and to feel a part of the learning process. It may again be useful to ask students to respect confidentiality and remind them that if they all agree not to discuss issues outside the room, everyone will benefit and feel more free to speak. Between five and ten minutes is left at the end for students to learn ‘progressive relaxation’.