Matric results day: The hidden emotional weight behind the numbers

AS SOUTH African families brace for the release of the 2025 matric results, mental‑health experts warn that the period can trigger severe emotional distress among learners.

The 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, written by 14,210 full‑time candidates, will be announced by Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul at the Matric Awards Ceremony in Kimberley on January 13.

While the event celebrates academic achievement, the anticipation has a “particular kind of silence” that settles over homes, according to a recent interview with educational psychologist Dr Nombuso Gama, a resilience specialist known for her mental‑health insights on TikTok.

“The journey to receiving results comes with hope and anticipation,” Dr Gama said. “Learners often don’t imagine any outcome other than passing, just like their peers. The sudden shift from these expectations to the reality of not passing can be psychologically difficult.”

Dr Gama explained that the public nature of the results can provoke shame, which she described as “dangerous” because it may lead to feelings of inadequacy, fear of negative treatment, and even suicidal thoughts. She linked this to developmental psychology, noting that adolescence is a stage of identity formation where statements beginning with “I am …” carry great weight.

“When a learner fails, that sentence often becomes ‘I am a failure.’ Catastrophising creeps in – ‘one failed subject means my life is over,’” she said. “They don’t yet have enough evidence of bouncing back from hardship.”

IOL reported that the psychologist stressed the importance of a growth mindset, defining it as “understanding that you have the capacity to improve your life through effort, learning, and practice.” She added that failure should be viewed as feedback, not a final verdict.

Parents are urged to respond with validation before problem‑solving. Dr Gama advised:

1. Acknowledge the pain and shame.
2. Reassure the child that they are accepted regardless of the result.
3. Gently broaden the perspective by discussing options such as rewriting exams or alternative pathways.

She warned against immediate lectures, comparisons, or phrases like “you didn’t try hard enough,” which can worsen the wound.

Red flags that warrant professional help include prolonged isolation, emotional numbness, loss of interest in activities, appetite changes, and statements such as “life is pointless.” Dr Gama said, “A few days of sadness are expected. The concern is when these feelings linger.”

She concluded with a message for learners: “Failure is not the end of life. It is the comma, not the full stop. What matters is what you do next.”

And for parents: “Your child needs your belief now more than ever. Be their support structure. Children perform better when someone still believes in them.”