THE children of today are all stressing about their exams, write Liam McLeod-Eccles and James Frangleton.

Will they get the right grades to get into college? Have they studied hard enough to get their deserved grade?

But is it all really necessary? Should the youth of our society really be worrying so fervently and detrimentally about their education and, indeed, their future?

Why does society seem to be putting qualifications above the happiness of its people?

When we look at professionals today, particularly in the arts, many of them do not have the qualificationsthat might be associated with such fields. Of course, it gets worse.

Children are now to stay in compulsory education until 18.

Statistics show that depression for young people has been on the increase for some time and continues to rise.

Presumably the solution is to hand out anti-depressants like candy?

No? Well that is what is being done.

Ironic really, when one considers that the statistics also show that the use of anti-depressants on minors actually increases the chances of suicide significantly.

But rather than an alternative solution, surely we should be looking for a preventative measure?

No one should ever have to be brought to the brink of suicide only to be pushed over the edge by society and a good dose of ‘anti-depressants’– is this the world we want to live in?