Francisca Labra
Marketing · Vivencias Travel
Anxiety, group conflict, panic attacks and episodes of distress are more common on school trips than anyone admits. Having a mental health professional on board changes how they are handled.
A study trip concentrates, within a few days, almost every factor psychology associates with stress in adolescents: separation from the family environment, intensive 24-hour living together, disrupted sleep, constant social demand, and a high level of expectation about "the best trip of your life".
What actually happens on a school trip
In practice, coordination teams face situations that go well beyond logistics: students who cannot sleep, anxiety attacks, group conflicts that escalate, episodes of distress on being away from home for the first time, and in some cases young people already in mental health treatment who need continuity during the trip.
Historically, those situations were resolved with judgement and goodwill. The coordinator calmed things down, the teacher phoned the parents, and the group carried on. It often worked. But it is not the same as professional intervention.
"Trip coordinators are excellent at what they do, but they are not trained to handle an anxiety attack. When you bring in a psychologist, the difference is not only in how the emergency is managed: it is in everything that gets prevented before it happens." — Marcelo Rollandi, founder of Vivencias Travel
From a reactive role to a preventive one
The mental health professional's contribution is not limited to dealing with crises. Their work starts before the trip, reading the group and identifying students who might need more support — always with the families' consent and in coordination with the school.
During the trip, the role is one of observation and availability: reading group dynamics, spotting isolation, stepping into conflicts before they escalate, and supporting those who need it without exposing them in front of their classmates.
What families should be asking
When comparing operators, there are concrete questions that separate real support from a statement of intent: does the professional travel with the group or are they available remotely? Is there a written protocol for mental health crises? How is it coordinated with the school and with parents? What happens if a student needs to return early?
"Emotional wellbeing is not an extra on the trip. It is part of the trip going well. A group that felt looked after comes back different." — Marcelo Rollandi
Vivencias Travel is a tour operator founded in Bariloche with a presence in Chile, Brazil and Mexico, specialising in group and individual travel experiences. Its main focus is study trips, experiential travel, adventure activities, excursions and tailor-made programmes. It offers 24/7 support and professional guides with deep knowledge of Patagonia and international destinations.
