Young Peoples Health
Young People's Helpline
Young people aged 10-17 years can call the Mind's young person's helpline for emotional support, advice and information on: 0208 189 8400.
Concerns might be around school; the future; boredom and lacking something to look forward to; social isolation and a loss of support networks; and health anxiety.
Worried parents can also call the helpline for information and support from one of their team.
Please click on the links below for other useful local resources:
Wellbeing Signposting Guide for Young People.
Hertfordshire County Council mental health and wellbeing support
Support for parents and carers.
THE SANDBOX
An online Mental Health Digital Advice and Guidance Service for 10-25s with access to games, worksheets, group chats and online events for children, young people and their parents/carers. The Sandbox provides access to internet enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT), or one to one support from professional therapists by text, phone, online chat or video call.
● Therapy sessions: 7am-10pm Mondays-Fridays and 10am-10pm Saturdays and Sundays
● Live Chat: 10am-8pm Mondays-Fridays
To access services visit the website here.
CHILD LINE
Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Their phone number (0800 1111) doesn't show up on a phone bill and they can also be contacted by email or you can chat to a counsellor online. Click here to contact them
Chlamydia Testing
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the UK. You or your partner can have Chlamydia and not have any symptoms, so it is very important that you have a test.
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria. Chlamydia can affect both men and women. 70% of women infected with Chlamydia don’t know it. 50% of men infected with Chlamydia don’t know it. Most people won’t have any obvious signs or symptoms or only get mild symptoms which they don’t notice. Most people won’t know they have the infection. If left untreated, Chlamydia may cause longer term health problems including infertility (not being able to have a baby), and pain, especially in the abdomen.
How is Chlamydia treated?
The most common treatment for Chlamydia is a course of antibiotics. The Elms actively encourages under 25s to be screened for Chlamydia and offers FREE confidential Chlamydia testing for 16-24 year olds. Testing kits and information can also be found in the patients toilets.
For further information please visit www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk.
Contraception
At the Elms we offer family planning advice including pills, coils, diaphragms, emergency contraception and referral for contraception. The services is run by our nurses who are able to deal with emergency contraception and pill checks. Please let us know when booking an appointment that you require contraceptive advice so we book you with an approriate member of our nursing team. Coil fits and the contraception implant, Implanon are available through an appointment with our GPs at The Elms. Dr Bethan Rees is our gynaecology specialist at the Practice.
Information about 24 hour access to contraception and emergency contraception by post can be found at https://sh24.org.uk/
YC Hertfordshire Sexual Health Text Service
A new text service has been introduced for young people specifically around sexual health. The text service was developed with young people in response to the changes in delivery by Sexual Health Hertfordshire to ensure that young people could still get local, relevant and timely access to sexual health services.
Young people are able to text the Sexual Health Service on 07860 057369 to ask questions or for advice, and they will be able to answer these or support you in getting access to the most appropriate service; this could be specialist support through Sexual Health Hertfordshire, a visit to your GP or something that the service can provide through their Access Points. You should get a response within 3 hours (during office hours) or the next working day from a trained youth worker, outside of these times you will be signposted via the sexual health services map so there is something in place if the issue is an emergency or time limited such as accessing emergency contraception. There are also keywords you can text such as TEST, CONDOMS and PREGNANT to get an automated response on where to access these services.
Your Menstrual Cycle and Mental Well Being
Hertfordshire Talking Therapies host free ‘Menstrual cycle and mental wellbeing’ webinars, which introduces the physical and emotional difficulties that might be experienced during the menstrual cycle.
The webinars offers tips and advice to improve emotional wellbeing during menstruation. It is suitable for anyone, who would like to learn how to improve their mental health across their menstrual cycle or for anyone looking to learn more about the relation between the menstrual cycle and emotional wellbeing.
Visit the Hertfordshire Talking Therapies website to register for the webinar.
Other Sources of Help
Guide to available help for teens in need of support
Patient UK - trusted medical information and support on all teenage health issues.
FPA - a sexual health charity giving straightforward information, advice and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.
Eat well - NHS Choices website about teenage food and diet.
Talk to Frank – The A-Z of drugs and how to kick the habit
The Site - Online guide specifically designed for 16 – 25 year olds. Non judgmental support and information.
Youth Talk - A free and confidential Counselling Service based in St Albans.
Q & A Teenage Health – 100’s of health issues experienced by teenagers answered by doctors.
Marie Stopes - UK provider of sexual and reproductive health care.