Beyond the marks: Support for students during matric results season

Learners, parents, and teachers have been urged to focus on emotional wellbeing during what can be one of the most stressful times of the year as matric learners across the country prepare to receive their final results.

“For many young people, Matric results are seen as a once-in-a-lifetime judgement of their ability, intelligence, and future,” said South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) Project Manager for Education, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha. 

“It becomes a national event filled with pressure from family, teachers, peers, and even social media. When results are tied to shame, disappointment, or fear of letting others down, Anxiety can easily turn into feelings of hopelessness.”

Each year, SADAG receives an increase in calls from learners and parents struggling to cope with the uncertainty surrounding results. 

SADAG’s Toll-Free 24-hour Helplines and WhatsApp chat are ready to offer immediate guidance and reassurance. 

To further assist during this time, SADAG has launched a new Matric Results Online Toolkit available at www.sadag.org, designed to support young people through the emotions and decisions that come with results day. It includes helpful videos, easy-to-read articles, and practical mental health brochures, offering guidance on managing anxiety, preparing emotionally for results, and exploring next steps calmly and confidently.

SADAG encourages learners to:

▪ Prepare emotionally for results day by deciding in advance who to talk to and where to be, no matter the outcome.

▪ Separate results from self-worth: your marks are not a measure of your value as a person.

▪ Limit social media to avoid harmful comparisons or pressure.

▪ Plan for different outcomes: there are always multiple pathways to success, from remarking or rewriting to bridging courses, TVET colleges, or other opportunities.

▪ Reach out early: speak to a parent, teacher, friend, or counsellor if anxiety feels overwhelming.

Counselling Psychologist Dylan Benyon added: “For parents and teachers, the best thing you can say right now is ‘I’m here for you.’ Offer support without pressure and remind learners that Anxiety at this time is completely normal. Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome because hard work and resilience matter far more than a single grade.”

The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) said parents have a big role to play in supporting and coaching their teen through the run up to the matric results and its immediate aftermath. 

Dr Lauren Martin, Counselling Psychologist and Dean of SACAP said: “It’s a time for parents to keep the focus on their child’s strengths, efforts, and their emerging identity, shifting attention away from narrow concerns on specific outcomes like marks. There are solutions and different pathways for every possible matric outcome, and it is important to emphasise resilience and flexibility. A supportive parent is one who communicates confidence in their child’s ability to grow and adapt, even if the path ahead might end up being different than what was originally imagined, planned or hoped for. What’s important is to help defuse the notion that a young person’s entire success hinges entirely on just these marks, because that’s a high-pressure idea that might lead to mental health challenges.”

Praneetha Jugdeo, Head of SACAP’s Durban Campus said the road to success in life is not linear. 

“Parents promote future readiness by supporting their child’s confident, values-based decisions – even when their Matric results have been disappointing. They can help by encouraging conversations focused on their child’s strengths, interests, values, and long-term goals rather than just ‘what looks good on paper’. In today’s world, there is so much choice when it comes to getting on a pathway to a fulfilling career.”

Parents and teens can access support through:

• SADAG - Chat online with a counsellor 7 days a week from 9am - 4pm via the Cipla WhatsApp Chat Line 076 882 2775. SMS 31393 or 32312 and a counsellor will call you back – available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
• The Counselling Hub - Book a session:  021 462 3902 or   067 235 0019 or Email: info@counsellinghub.org.za
• LifeLine South Africa – 24 hours / 7 days per week National Counselling Line 0861-322-322