Some Kerry children and adolescents as young as 12 and 13 are using alcohol and drugs to block out problems, a study to be published today by the Kerry Mental Health Association, has found.
Nearly 1,000 first-year students in 13 schools including six co-educational and seven single-sex schools were studied.
The more stress the student experienced, the more likely the student was to resort to drink and drugs. Those with lower stress levels took more positive and more active approaches such as thinking of ways of solving the problem, looking at the bright side, looking for help from some appropriate person and staying calm.
One in five of the first-years had experienced "significant levels of stress" and in the case of one in every 20 students, those levels were "extreme and experienced as unmanageable".
Other negative strategies used by students to cope with stress included crying and screaming; blaming some one else; worrying about the problem and not telling anyone; self-blame and wishful thinking.
Stress levels were found to be higher among girls than boys. Stress was highest in mixed schools, the study showed.
Worry about exam results was found to be the most stressful thing, followed by worry about career choice, keeping up with schoolwork, getting used to new things, worry about attractiveness and problems with teachers.
Mr Dan O'Connor, development officer with the association said the finding that children as young as 12 were experiencing significant levels of stress was of great concern to the association.
Mr O'Connor is one of the authors of the report with Dr Anne Hill, clinical psychologist, and Father Gearóid Ó Donnchadha, lecturer and sociologist.
A number of recommendations have now been drawn up for families, schools, religious bodies, youth and community groups and sporting organisations in Kerry.
These include recognising that adolescents are experiencing stress and teaching ways of coping with emotions and stress.
Young people should be encouraged to talk about themselves and should also be shown safe ways of dealing with stress.
Adults dealing with adolescents are urged by the report to become aware of their own stress levels and coping abilities and to acknowledge when difficulties were beyond their capabilities and then to seek advice or professional help.