Preventing stress in young people

Growing concern over increasing levels of stress among adolescents is addressed by psychologist Dr Sarah McNamara in Stress and Young People: What's New and What Can We Do?

The book is a guide for anyone who works with teenagers and for those concerned about individuals affected by stress. "It's a resource for teachers, parents and care providers of young people, to help them provide support for teenagers to cope with the stresses they face," says McNamara.

"It offers preventative strategies to cope with everyday difficulties before they become long term problems."

The first part of the book is quite academic, giving information on the psychological theories of stress

in order to "give people the confidence" to deal with it. It continues as "very much a `how to', which offers realistic options for dealing with stress in teenagers, recognising its causes and gives advice on how to set up groups for stress management," she says.

McNamara hopes the book will encourage parents and teachers to look out for the symptoms of stress in teenagers: "They should sit down regularly with the young person and ask how they are and make sure they know they have someone to turn to."

The book is published by Continuum and costs £14.99. Dr McNamara is a stress consultant for both schools and businesses. For further information telephone 086 8144681 or e-mail sarah.mcnamara@stress- consultants.com