The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is making it clear that the mental and emotional well-being of children is a national priority.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services launched its Mindful Me Journal, aimed at students aged 10–17 years to help alleviate exam-related stress and anxiety.
Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit acknowledged that the pressure surrounding examinations, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, can be overwhelming for students.
“Stress, anxiety, and fear of failure often become silent burdens carried into classrooms, carried into homes, and exam halls.”
Minister Mohit noted that the Mindful Me Journal serves as a practical tool to support young people in managing exam-related stress and anxiety.
“We want our children to succeed. We want them to excel, but we must also acknowledge the weight that expectations can place on young minds. To the students who are here today, we want to share with you, you are not alone. Your feelings matter. It is okay to feel nervous. It is okay to feel stressed or overwhelmed, and it is okay most of all to ask for help.”
Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed commended the Ministry for placing students’ wellbeing at the forefront of national development.
“Initiatives like these help shape balanced, confident, and emotionally healthy citizens which ultimately strengthens our communities, and most importantly, our nation.”
Child Protection Officer at UNICEF, Bertrand Moses, said the launch of the journal is timely and practical.
“Across Trinidad and Tobago, children and young people are crying out to us. Last year, we experienced, for the first time in history, a drastic increase in suicides. We have experienced a drastic increase in child and youth violence, and we noted at UNICEF for the Eastern Caribbean that the time has come for us to stop talking and support critical initiatives such as these.”