IMPACT OF ACADEMIC STRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF UTTARAKHAND STATE

Stress is primarily a physical reaction and is defined as a state characterized by symptoms of physical and mental tension or strain, such as depression or hypertension. This often occurs in response to situations in which a person feels threatened, under pressure, or both. Students in secondary and tertiary education settings face a wide range of ongoing normative stressors, which can be defined as normal day to day hassles such as ongoing academic demands. This study investigates the relationship between academic stress and mental health among senior secondary students in Uttarakhand State. During the present study, simple random sampling technique has been applied to draw the sample from population. The sample consisted of 200 students (100 boys & 100 girls) of Haridwar district of Uttarakhand state. 100 students were taken from the government school and 100 from non-government school. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing standardized questionnaires to collect data from a sample of senior secondary students. The findings indicate a significant correlation between academic stress and various mental health indicators, suggesting a need for interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of academic pressure on students\' well-being.