YOUNG people across Clydebank and North Glasgow feeling anxious or worried about exams are being reminded that help is available.

As pupils prepare to sit exams later this month, ChildLine can reveal that for the first time ever, school and education problems has emerged as a top concern among those contacting the helpline.

ChildLine has a base in Glasgow and delivered almost 2,200 counselling sessions about the issue in 2013/14—making it the fourth most commonly reported concern to ChildLine in Scotland last year.

There were also more than 87,500 visits to ChildLine’s webpage about the issue.

Not wanting to disappoint their parents, fear of failure and the general pressures linked to academic achievement were all major themes.

Elaine Chalmers, area manager for ChildLine, said: “The exam period can be a very stressful and anxious time for young people. As these figures reveal, the pressure to do well is being felt by an increasing number of young people across the country.

We hear from lots of young people each year who are anxious, worried or panicking about their exams and revision. We want to let them know that they are not alone and that ChildLine is here to listen to them.” Call ChildLine’s free confidential helpline on 0800 11 11 or visit childline.org.uk