Most people have experienced the morning buzz that comes with the excitement of being anxious over waiting for their matric results to be published.

They probably struggled to sleep last night because of all the nerves. They probably posted how nervous they are on their status. They probably woke up super early this morning to get the newspaper or to check their name on the results app.

Let’s say you’ve just completed matric, and you find yourself in the spotlight as results day arrives.

After all of the anxiety, you don’t see your name anywhere. You find yourself looking around as other kids shout out for joy after seeing themselves on the list of results. You didn’t pass.

First, it’s having to accept the fact that you couldn’t share this moment with your loved ones. Then it’s the shame that follows when family members and friends start asking how you did. Then comes the aftereffects of seeing how everyone around you is celebrating knowing you cannot do the same.

As a parent, your role now becomes to be an anchor of support to your child. To not discourage but to comfort.

The good news is that there are ways of dealing with the disappointment of not having passed matric. If your teen is feeling disappointed, it’s crucial to provide support, encouraging them to talk about their emotions. Once they’ve worked through the disappointment, they can focus on their next steps.

The period after the release of results is critical for a young person’s mental health. Encouraging your child to express their feelings about the disappointing results is essential. While parents offer love and support, children may benefit from conversations about failed matric results with someone other than mom or dad.

Here are 24-hour hotlines available to help your child navigate through their emotions:

• Reach out to the SADAG counsellor on the Suicide Toll-free Helpline at 0800 567 567 (available 24/7) or SMS 31393 for a callback.
• Chat with SADAG online via WhatsApp at 087 163 2030 (seven days a week, 08:00 to 17:00).
• Lifeline: 031 312 2323
• SADAG: 0800 21 21 21
• Life Path Health: 072 7900 506

Sometimes, financial challenges, for instance, can stand between your child and their goals. While the #FeesMustFall movement secured a commitment from the government for a no-fee increase in university fees, the prospect of entirely free tertiary education in South Africa remains uncertain. If financial constraints hinder your child from pursuing tertiary education, the following resources can help maintain their positive outlook:

• Student Spaza: Listings for bursaries, internships, and student jobs.
• Student Village: Informative website listing opportunities for students.

Remember, negative matric results do not mean it’s the end of the world.

Main image: News24