Samaritans on hand for stressed out students

  Samaritans is urging young people who are stressed out about exams to contact the charity for completely confidential emotional support any time of the night or day.  Panic, anxiety, fear about the future, guilt and despair are just some of the feelings students may be going through during the summer examinations period.  The work on the reliability of the exam assessment system by OFQUAL, the new regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England, could further enhance the worries of young people at this time.

  Anyone wanting to talk in confidence to a trained Samaritans volunteer can contact the charity by phone, email, text, face-to-face or through written correspondence.

  Exams and waiting for exam results can bring on a unique kind of stress – for students and parents or guardians.  High expectations and pressure from parents, teachers or friends can push students to the brink, particularly when they feel their results don’t quite meet those expectations.  Learning how to recognise when they’re under stress is one of the first steps towards dealing with it.

  Samaritans Schools Consultation Officer, Amanda Edmondson said: “Many people feel pressured into hiding their feelings out of embarrassment or concern, not wanting to burden family or friends, but hiding under a calm exterior only saves the problem for later and stress can build up until it becomes unbearable”.

  Relationship Psychologist and Agony Aunt, Susan Quilliam, said: “The thing to realise is that if you know yourself you have done your best then nobody can ask anything more of you.  Of course you will feel stressed and of course you will want to do well and that is the point that you may want a little extra support if you feel you are not coping.  Talk to your mates and family and remember that someone from Samaritans is there to listen 24/7 however big or small the problem seems, if you feel you need a little help then just pick up the phone.

From the Samaritans and spotted by Robert Little.

Top of page

Top tips for the exam period

* Keep healthy.  Eating sensibly, taking exercise, getting a good night’s sleep and limiting alcohol and coffee can help you stay physically on top of your game.
* Study effectively.  Make a revision list, set up a supportive environment, work through the topics steadily, take regular short breaks and swap support with friends by forming a study group.
* Manage external pressures.  Put expectations in context and help others understand that pressuring you isn’t helpful.
* Manage internal stress.  Concentrate on doing the best you can. 

If you don’t get the results you want there are always other options, some of which may actually suit you better.

Top of page

BMS World Mission prayer points

Burma cyclone disaster:
  For thousands of people who have lost everything they have, now is an extremely difficult time.  Please remember Burma in your prayers.
  Please pray that the Burmese Government will reverse its decision about accepting aid but not people.  It has issued a statement that Burma is happy to accept aid, but insisted it would control the distribution itself.  The World Food Programme has responded that this is ‘unprecedented in modern humanitarian relief efforts’.
The church in Albania:
  Graham Sansom is pastor of a church in Vlora, Albania.  He asks for prayer for the church in that country.  He said: “The Baptist Foundation of Tirana , which represents all eight Baptist Union churches, is on a journey of amalgamation of roles and transition towards a fully functioning Union.  This involves much time consuming and energy-sapping legal work and bureaucracy. Beni Pango is now pastor of Way of Hope Baptist Church, as well as General Secretary of the Union and a family man.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance for him to apportion his time well.”
* China earthquake:
  For all those waiting for news of a loved one, particularly parents waiting at the ruins of schools, waiting for news of their child.  Pray that help will come quickly to those who are buried and still alive. 
  For the rescue workers, including the Army, for strength, stamina, perseverance and the ability to cope emotionally with all the tragic sights they are seeing.  Please pray, too, that the heavy rains will cease; that there will be no further after-shocks and ensuing landslides and that conditions will improve to help the rescue efforts.
  Please pray for the staff at BMS’s partner, the Amity Foundation, as they assess needs and seek to respond in the best way possible.
  We should pray, too, for Christians in the area as they minister to the community in this time of tragedy.

From BMS World News.

Top of page

Diptipur update


  While we have been enjoying our recent hot weather, Diptipur has had temperatures of 48 degrees (126 degrees Fahrenheit).  There is still some time to go before the rains come in June/July, to cool things off a little.
  In the meantime, work goes on at the hospital, although the hot season brings a fall in the patient numbers.  The renovation work to the eye department is being carried out.  This will be followed by renovation of the laboratory as well as the painting of the eye department.  Engineers have come to check out the equipment in the eye theatre and have managed to provide servicing and maintenance on several things.  Paperwork is progressing for the installation of the transformer.  This usually takes four to five weeks, and installation will take a further week.
  Then, the air conditioning units will be installed and they can be used safely with the transformer in place.  The hot, humid monsoon season will then become more tolerable for the doctors performing operations.
  We are hoping that a surgeon’s chair for the eye theatre can soon be bought.  At the moment the doctor has to manage on a stool.
  Dr Jacob Koshy, the surgeon sponsored by Second Sight, will soon be making another visit - to perform cataract operations, giving bilateral patients sight in one eye.
  Dr Rajnish Samal - now, thankfully, recovered from a recent bout of high fever and sickness - had his wife and daughter with him in Diptipur from 4th to 23rd May.  On 23rd May, all the family travelled to Delhi and on to Shimla for a meeting of the Christian Medical Association of India.
  While in Delhi, they met Heather Payne, my fellow guest of honour at the golden jubilee celebrations.  Heather will hand over to Rajnish our recent monetary gift.  On the strength of this, some of the requested equipment has already been ordered.
  In August, Dr Ipsita Dip, the lady doctor at Diptipur will be going to do her post graduate studies at CMC Vellore in paediatrics.  Her replacement at Diptipur, will be Dr Priyambada Singh, who has trained at CMC Ludhiana.
  We constantly need to remember the staff and patients of the hospital in our prayers - and we send our love and greetings, thoughts and prayers to all the staff working at Diptipur.

By Aileen Hagan.

Top of page

Let loose change

  Christian Aid is a charity that not only welcomes but actively promotes change.  It wants to make a fairer world, one free of poverty and injustice. In order to do that, it has to foster change.  Of course, we all have the power to change things.  Moreover, to help all of us change even more things - hopefully for the better - Christian Aid is running a series of one-day 'Transformational' events.  These events will be held at nine regional centres around the UK from the beginning of September.

  According to Christian Aid, the aim of these 'practical but fun' events is to bring people together to share ideas and fuel one another's determination.  The events help delegates to find out about the issues that are keeping people poor - and what we can all do about it.
In addition, there will be updates on how you can get involved in all aspects of Christian Aid's work, as well as opportunities for worship and action for change.

  The one-day events will include practical sessions to polish up your campaigning skills. You'll also hear directly from other activists from around the world - over the web, so there are no air miles involved.

  And because change can be fun, too, there will be activities available for the whole family, with all-age activities, games and challenges for children and young people, as well as an on-site crèche.

The nearest of these regional events to Marshalswick are on:
* 13th September, at church.co.uk, Waterloo, London and
* 27th September at the Vineyard Church, St Albans
All these regional events run from 10am to 4pm. Lunch will be provided.
Attendance is free, but Christian Aid is inviting delegates to give a donation of between £5 and £10 for each adult attending.
Caroline Williams will be attending the event in St Albans and would welcome some company.  So, to book your place, call 020 7523 2012 or email jbyram@christian-aid.org.uk

From www.christianaid.org.uk.