When Maya called Barnardos’ 0800 What’s Up helpline, she was crying and very distressed. She told, counsellor Eliza that she couldn’t stop crying and shaking and she felt on the verge of a panic attack. Maya had already tried a breathing technique that was supposed to help calm her down, but she felt it had only made it worse.

Through her conversation with the Eliza, Maya talked about the enormous pressure of the upcoming school tests and internal assessments and how she was finding it hard to focus on anything. Maya was feeling really overwhelmed.

Eliza worked with Maya to understand her situation and explore some options.

After talking with Eliza, Maya decided that she would try breaking her work down into smaller chunks. And that she would start scheduling herself break times - that she deserved to take breaks after working hard.

Eliza and Maya also talked about the internal language Maya used on herself and how she could reframe those messages to be more positive. Eliza asked Maya if she would use the words she used on herself on other people. Maya said she wouldn’t, so understood that she shouldn’t use them on herself either.

Maya provided feedback to Eliza at the end of their chat. She said Eliza had challenged her in a good way and she appreciated the different strategies they had discussed for managing her emotions.

If you know a tamariki or rangatahi who would like to talk to a counsellor, they can call 0800 What’s Up on 0800 942 8787 or chat via whatsup.co.nz.

Maya’s learning to manage her time, and her stress