Impact of Social Media on young people in Warwickshire
Directors of Public Health (DPH) have a statutory requirement to write an annual report on the health of their population, and the local authority is required to publish it. The DPH Annual Report is a vehicle for informing local people about the health of their community, as well as providing the necessary information for decision makers in local services about gaps and priorities that need be addressed.
The report for 2018 will focus on Warwickshire young people (age 8-25) and the impact of social media on their health and wellbeing.
We are looking to engage with Warwickshire schools to understand the positives and negatives of social media and its impact on health and wellbeing (physical, mental and social). We will be undertaking:
- An online survey for young people, parents/carers and professionals (probably during February 2016)
- Focus groups with young people, parents/carers and professionals (probably during January 2018)
- Interviews with young people, parents/carers and professionals (probably starting December 2017 and running until February 2018)
Please contact Kate Sahota (Children's Public Health Commissioner) on katesahota@warwickshire.gov.uk or 01926 413763 if you would be interested in taking part in this research. We are particularly looking for schools where:
a) you have experienced problems with social media use with young people and may be willing to talk about it;
b) you are highly regarded/innovative in your approach to social media in school and have seen some benefits from it.
Get involved in the Youth MHFA in Schools programme
As part of the Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in Schools programme, the Department of Health has committed to fund over 3,000 places on the Youth MHFA One Day course over the next three years, so that by 2020 at least one person in every state secondary school in England has MHFA skills. 100 Youth MHFA One Day courses are being delivered by MHFA England (CIC) in this first year of the programme, which equates to over 1,000 places available – a similar number of courses will be delivered in years two and three of the programme. One representative from each state secondary school may attend a course, with the exception of host schools, who are offered four additional places. Please find attached fact sheet for further details.
Under the terms of this government funded scheme, all state secondary schools qualify to receive one free place on a Youth MHFA One Day course. Additional training can be booked independently of this government funded programme, however unfortunately additional funding is not available to support this.
Year one of the Youth MHFA in Schools programme was launched in April 2017 and the first course deliveries took place soon after in June with further deliveries continuing up to December. To date, we have delivered 78 courses, training over 800 Youth MHFA Champions.
The Youth MHFA One Day course itself has been designed specifically with schools and colleges in mind – as a one day course, it fits perfectly into school inset training days and busy school timetables. Topics covered include; an introduction to mental health, depression and anxiety, suicide and psychosis and self-harm and eating disorders. The course includes a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities, with MHFA England instructors providing a safe learning environment where participants are supported throughout the whole session. Everyone who completes the course receives a copy of the Youth MHFA Schools and Colleges manual which is an excellent reference and support resource. Participants also receive a certificate to say they are a Youth MHFA Champion – someone who is skilled in understanding how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental health issues in young people and who will have the confidence to guide the young person to a place of support.
Courses are currently available to book for the new year (February-December 2018) so if schools have capacity to host courses in these months, or would like to register for its free place, please get in touch with the MHFA England Schools team by emailing schools@mhfaengland.org.
To find out more about the initiative visit mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/schools-programme.
Radio DJ launch health podcasts for teens
You can find links to all the Health Uncovered podcasts here.
A new series of podcasts aims to get more young people in-tune with their health and wellbeing. Compass helped produce the candid discussion programs which are hosted by BBC Radio One presenter and actor Cel Spellman.
Sexually transmitted infections, self-harming, depression, drugs and more are on the agenda, as Cel lifts the lid on teenage health issues. Young people from Warwickshire speak honestly about their experiences of different health problems which they say can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and sometimes misunderstood.
The ten shows each focus on a different topic from online bullying to sexual health, body image to mental health, plus other threats that affect the smartphone generation, like online grooming and pressure caused by social media. The team behind the 20 minute episodes hope that young people going through difficulties may find it easier to open up and talk if they can hear peers discussing the same troubles.
Designed particularly for people who like to listen through headphones whilst on the move, users can search “Health Uncovered” in any popular podcasting app, like iTunes, to download or stream the podcasts to mobile devices.
Whilst young people from across the country are the stars of the shows, the health professionals that support them, like school nurses and adolescent mental health teams, helped to bring the project together. They were on hand at each recording session to provide expert solutions, support and understanding.
Presenter Cel Spellman, who hosts the Sunday afternoon slot on BBC Radio One and stars in ITV drama Cold Feet, met with participants in five different UK towns and cities to make the programs. The round-the-table chats were revealing, amusing, usually slightly rude and often a little emotional.
“I feel pretty privileged to have heard such honest and touching personal stories”, says Cel. “Young people today have to deal with all the classic teenage worries and troubles, but it doesn’t end there. With social media, current affairs and online, this digital generation have much more to deal with. Sometimes these sort of problems can be misunderstood by our peers who say we’ve never had it so easy, so get on with it.”
Cel feels passionate about encouraging young people to ask access help with health issues. He says “they have so much to think about, it can sometimes feel like it’s all too much. It’s important young people get support and, most importantly, that they can listen and talk to one another – this podcast series gives them a voice and a platform to be heard”.
He has spoken out in the past about his own challenges, dealing with bullies at school, saying “I preferred to deal with problems on my own, but there comes a breaking point.”
The idea was created by the NHS working in partnership with the Audio Impressions team at production company This Is Distorted. They are exploring different ways of helping more young health service users feel comfortable talking about their health.
“Young people listen to more audio than other age group and we know they’re more likely to choose podcasts than listen on demand radio shows” says project manager Jimmy Endicott. “One in ten people aged 15 and over listen to at least one podcast every week, so that’s more than 800,000 young weekly listeners. It’s a great platform for helping people – one we actually haven’t much used yet in healthcare.”
The company behind Audio Impressions specialises in creating compelling audio entertainment for young people, usually working with the UK’s biggest music radio stations and some of the World’s best-recognized artists and DJs to produce chart-topping podcasts with millions of listeners.
Warwickshire School Health & Wellbeing Service and Warwickshire Young Persons Substance Misuse Service provided by Compass
Change Makers Family Lifestyle Programme
Background
Change Makers is a FREE 9-week family lifestyle course, commissioned by Public Health Warwickshire and run by Rugby Borough Council, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council. It is an evidence-based county wide weight management programme for families with children aged 4-12 years. The aim of Change Makers is to halt the rising prevalence of childhood obesity.
Case study of a Warwickshire family
This particular family contacted Change Makers after receiving a letter from the Warwickshire School Health and Well-Being Team due to one of their children being very overweight. The child had been diagnosed with high functioning autism and struggled in group activities. The parent’s main goal was to improve their social confidence and increase their fruit and vegetable intake.
What did the course involve?
The nine week course was fully booked with children ranging from 8-12 years. The Advisor spoke with the parents to establish the child’s coping strategies as loud noises were a trigger. When this occurred the Advisor adopted a 1-2-1 approach during the games to calm the child. The child was gradually introduced back into the group sport activities. Towards the end of the nine weeks the child was less concerned about the noise levels and had made friends with several of the children. The course focused on 5 a day, the eat well plate, portion sizes, breakfasts, lunchboxes, sugar intake and snacks, meal planning and food labelling. Guests included Adult and Community Learning Services who delivered a cooking session, plus a local dance club, boxing and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Those who were eligible for a Junior Gym Membership were given a tour of the local leisure centre alongside a free taster session for a Junior exercise class.
Positive Behaviour Changes for the Family:
- Introduced new foods such as broccoli, mango and rice through a gradual process. First the item was placed on the table, then next to their plate, on their plate and finally trying one small piece of new food.
- Changing snacks from bags of crisps to malt loaf or breadsticks.
- Reduced portion sizes at dinner, both children were having the same as the father.
- Meal times are now at the dinner table instead of in front of the TV.
- The father and both children joined the local gym and regularly participate in a weekly boxing club and play badminton as a family as much as possible.
Quote – from the Parents
“We just wanted to say how much Change Makers helped us. Both children joined the gym as a result on top of their other activities. My child is much more aware about what and how much they are eating, plus they have shot up in height but are much slimmer. This has given them far more social confidence.”
Quote – from the Children
“I was really nervous as there were lots of children and the room was big. The games were really fun and I loved the boxing part.”
“I eat more green vegetables and I really like them now.”
For more information about Change Makers please contact Georgia Barrett (Family Lifestyle Co-ordinator) on 01788 533721 or georgia.barrett@rugby.gov.uk. Alternatively, if you would like more information Fitter Futures please contact Luke Butler (Fitters Futures Manager) on 02476 400594 or visit https://fitterfutureswarwickshire.co.uk/
Interested in the programme?
If you are interested in hosting a free Change Maker course at your school or would like to refer relevant families to the service please contact Georgia Barrett at the email address above. Alongside the free nine week course, schools will also be eligible for whole school taster sessions, assemblies, healthy eating workshops and drop-in information sessions.