Schools are utilizing VR headsets to help 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 only seven minutes.

      Secondary schools in this area are utilizing VR headsets to assist students in managing exam-related stress, ADHD, and challenging home situations. These headsets are provided by the tech company Phase Space, and the initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the local NHS mental health trust.

      According to the Guardian, the seven-minute VR program offers students a swift mental reset, which can take place during a designated time or whenever they feel overwhelmed in class.

      Zillah Watson, the program's co-creator and a visiting professor at University College London, noted that 90% of participants reported improvements, resulting in a reduction of stress and anxiety.

      But does spending seven minutes in VR truly make a difference?

      Watson, who previously led the VR division at the BBC, specifically designed the program for students who are feeling overwhelmed and anxious. She claims it has resulted in better attendance, improved behavior, and lower levels of exam-related anxiety.

      Sixteen-year-old Lora Wilson shared her experience, stating that the program begins in an empty room where the light gradually dims until you feel completely transported. “Exams used to terrify me, but I don’t feel as scared anymore,” she expressed.

      What do educators think?

      Aelisha Needham, vice-principal at Ark Academy in north London, mentioned that the headsets are primarily used in the mornings when students arrive feeling anxious due to disruptions at home or changes in their usual routine. Since implementing the VR headsets, the school has seen a decline in the number of students being removed from lessons.

      “Students are much calmer,” she noted. Now, students actively request to use the program when they feel overwhelmed instead of simply leaving class.

      This innovative approach represents one of the most promising uses of VR technology in recent times. It is currently being trialed in 15 schools. If the benefits can be sustained over longer periods and extended to more schools, VR headsets could become an affordable and effective means of supporting students who are struggling before situations worsen.

      Rachit is an experienced technology journalist with over seven years of experience in the consumer technology sector.

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