Confidential text messaging service is a hit with young people

Helen Smith, Head of Locality, Norfolk Children and Young People's Health Services explained:

Our ChatHealth confidential text messaging service is successfully providing an alternative way for young people aged 11-19 to engage confidentially with school nurses, receiving over 3100 texts in its first year on topics including relationship advice, healthy eating, smoking advice, bullying and exam stress.

Jessica Williams, School Nurse added: We've had a really positive response from the young people who use ChatHealth. They like the fact that they can text in at any time. For me it is about how we, as professional nurses, can help young people with difficult situations in their lives and empower them to take control.

Speaking about ChatHealth, Laura Flower, a year 10 pupil said: My sister was involved in an accident and I just wanted someone to talk to that I felt comfortable with and they didn't know me. It was really helpful for me. It helped me recover and say everything I wanted to say that maybe I felt I couldn't to someone who knew me or my sister.

There's a need for school nurses to be accessible to young people added Jessica. I like to come to work to know that I can make a difference. By promoting ChatHealth and School Nursing, we can help ensure that young people know there is someone they can talk to anonymously and confidentially.

11-19 year olds can contact ChatHealth by texting 07480 635060

To view a short film about our school nursing services and ChatHealth visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gz94hkrZ_A or to view a short animation visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP1vukFHbo

Sarah Barnes, Public Health Commissioning Manager for Children and Young People at Norfolk County Council said The ChatHealth text service is an easy way for young people to confidentially ask for help with a range of issues. The service is manned by a team of qualified school nurses who have a wealth of experience of working with 11-19 year olds. The service is particularly useful for young people who wouldn't have the confidence to seek advice in person, it uses a platform that most 11-19 year olds are extremely comfortable using and also offers them support all year round including outside school hours and school holidays.

Margaret Dewsbury Chair of the Communities Committee said Chathealth is a fantastic innovation, and it's pleasing to see how well received it has been by young people. It means the School Nurse services can be accessed by any 11-19 year old with a mobile phone at a time suitable to them and that can only be a good thing.