Schools are utilizing VR headsets to alleviate student stress and address attention problems.

      Schools in the London borough of Sutton have discovered an unexpectedly enjoyable solution for student anxiety that requires just seven minutes.

      Secondary schools are utilizing VR headsets created by the tech company Phase Space to aid students dealing with exam stress, ADHD, and challenging home situations. This initiative is being piloted in collaboration with the local NHS mental health trust.

      As reported by the Guardian, the seven-minute VR program offers students a brief mental break, which can be utilized during a designated time or when they need to take a moment away from class due to overwhelming anxiety.

      Zillah Watson, a co-creator of the program and a visiting professor at University College London, states that 90% of participants have experienced improvements, resulting in reduced stress and anxiety levels.

      Is seven minutes in VR truly beneficial?

      Watson, who previously led the VR department at the BBC, designed the program specifically for students feeling stressed and anxious. She observes that it has led to enhancements in attendance, behavior, and reductions in anxiety associated with exams.

      Sixteen-year-old Lora Wilson shared her experience, noting that the program begins in a blank room where the light gradually dims, creating a sensation of being transported to another place. “Exams used to frighten me. They don't terrify me as much now,” she remarked.

      What is the perspective of teachers?

      Aelisha Needham, the vice-principal at Ark Academy in north London, mentions that the headsets are primarily used in the mornings, when students come in feeling anxious due to home disruptions or changes in their typical school routine. Since implementing the headsets, there has been a decrease in the number of students needing to leave classes.

      “Students are much calmer,” she explained. Now, students are more likely to ask to use the program when they feel overwhelmed instead of just leaving the classroom.

      This is a truly innovative concept and represents one of the most effective uses of VR technology recently. At present, it is being trialed in 15 schools. If its positive effects can be sustained over time and expanded to numerous schools, VR headsets could serve as a cost-effective solution to assist struggling students before situations worsen.

      Rachit is an experienced tech journalist with more than seven years of experience in covering consumer technology.

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