IMPACT OF ACADEMIC STRESS ON THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE RISK OF DEVELOPING NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

This paper examines the impact of academic stress on the mental and physical health of high school students, as well as its potential role in increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Academic stress is particularly prevalent in the later secondary school years, when pressure from exams, parents, and future career pathways is at its greatest. Drawing on existing literature and facilitating a small survey of 21 high school students in Sydney, Australia, this study finds that academic stress is strongly associated with anxiety, depression, fatigue, headaches, poor sleep, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. These factors disrupt adolescent development and can trigger long-term biological changes, such as elevated cortisol levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation, which contribute to the early onset of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. The findings highlight that academic stress is not only a short-term well-being issue but also a public health concern with lifelong consequences.