Abstract

Academic stress has become a significant concern among students, particularly at the secondary school level, where academic expectations, examinations, and competitive educational environments often create psychological pressure. The present study aimed to examine the level of academic stress and mental health among secondary school students and to explore the relationship between these two variables. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 500 secondary school students selected from various schools in the Samastipur district. The sample included 250 boys and 250 girls, enabling the examination of gender differences in academic stress and mental health. Standardised tools were used for data collection, including the Academic Stress Scale developed by Kim (1970) and the Mental Health Scale developed by Talesara and Bano (2017). The reliability of the instruments was established through Cronbach’s alpha, indicating satisfactory internal consistency. The results of the study revealed that secondary school students experience a moderate level of academic stress, with examination pressure, academic workload, and expectations from parents and teachers emerging as the major sources of stress. The findings also indicated that the overall mental health of students is moderately satisfactory, reflecting adequate emotional stability, adjustment, self-confidence, and social adaptability. Significant gender differences were observed in both academic stress and mental health among students. Furthermore, the study identified a significant negative relationship between academic stress and mental health, suggesting that higher levels of academic stress tend to reduce students’ emotional stability, adjustment capacity, and overall psychological well-being. The findings highlight the importance of creating supportive educational environments that balance academic expectations with students’ psychological needs. Schools should promote counselling services, stress management programs, and life skills education to help students cope effectively with academic pressure and maintain healthy mental functioning.