India, May 19 -- As board and entrance examination results are announced across the country, many homes will experience a mixture of pride, relief, disappointment, anxiety, and uncertainty. For young people, however, these moments often feel far bigger than adults realise. Behind every marksheet is a child trying to understand their place in the world and whether they are measuring up to the expectations around them.

Having worked with children and teenagers for many years in both boarding and day school environments, I have seen how academic pressure can quietly affect even the most capable students. Many young people carry emotional burdens that adults do not immediately notice. They become very good at hiding anxiety, masking stress, ...