Health and Wellbeing for All?
Positive health and wellbeing is a resource for learning. We will be exploring the importance of many aspects of health and wellbeing on the PINS site and via our PINS events. Here are just a few of the latest resources and sources of information to support your work.
NEW - Time Trends in Adolescent Wellbeing
This report published by the Nuffield Foundation finds that the number of teenagers with mental health problems in the UK has plateaued after an "alarming" 25-year increase. Despite this, teenagers are still more likely to experience emotional and conduct problems than young people in the 1970s and 1980s.
To read the pdf briefing paper go HERE
NEW - Promoting children's mental, emotional and social health through contact with nature: a model
Cecily Jane Maller
Health Education Vol 109, No 6 – 2009: 522 - 543
This paper found that hands-on contact with nature is perceived by educators to improve self-esteem, engagement with school and a sense of empowerment, among other benefits. Activities involving hands-on contact with nature may have significant health outcomes for children, and different types of activities are perceived to have different outcomes. A model is proposed to illustrate the findings.
NEW - Review: school based prevention and early intervention programmes reduce anxiety
Stallard, P. (commentator)
Evidence Based Mental Health Vol 12, No 4 – Nov 2009: 116
This review compares the effectiveness of early intervention and prevention programmes.
NEW - Mental well-being and subjective health of 11- to 15-year-old boys and girls in Scotland, 1994–2006
Levin, K.A., Currie, C., and Muldoon, J.
European Journal of Public Health Vol 19, No 6 – Dec 2009: 605-610
This paper concludes that adolescent mental well-being and subjective health in Scotland is improving. However, gender differences persist and socioeconomic inequalities are emerging for some measures, suggesting that a longer term monitoring of mental well-being and subjective health in Scotland is required.
investing in the mental health of Fife: the Playfield Institute
W. Simpson, G. Buchanan, and G. Monteith
Journal of Public Mental Health Vol 8, No 1 – Mar 2009: 11 – 18
The Playfield Institute’s focus is to build the capacity of frontline workers (otherwise known as the children's workforce eg. school nurses, social workers, teachers, foster carers etc) to promote the mental health of children and young people. This paper discusses why the Institute was set up, what it is, what it has achieved and how the model is sustainable.
To read more and download the report go HERE
the relationship between early suicide behaviors and mental health: results from a nine-year panel study
Ryan MacDonald, John Taylor, Diana Clark
Journal of Adolescence Vol 32, No 5 - October 2009: 1159-1172
This paper employs community-level data to examine the relationship between suicide behaviors, measured at age eleven, and two mental health outcomes assessed nine-years later. Specifically, they assess the role and significance of suicide ideation and suicide attempts in substance dependence and depressive symptomatology.
Read more HERE
A critical review of the literature on children and young people’s views of the factors that influence their mental health.
As part of the process to ensure that the work being taken forward by NHS Health Scotland to establish children and young people’s mental health indicators (see HERE) takes into account the views of children and young people, a review was commissioned to examine what children and young people themselves perceive to be important in affecting their mental health (mental health problems and mental wellbeing) for good or ill.
The report is available HERE
The Development of ‘Nonviolent Communication’ in an Early Years Setting to Support Conflict Resolution and Develop an Emotional Intelligence Related to Both Self and Others
The report explores interventions related to nonviolent communication in an early years setting. The researcher explored use of the Nonviolent Communication Model in a nursery setting to determine the extent to which it could be successfully used by a class of 3 to 5 year olds. The research found that other staff members had noticed changes in conflict resolution, and in the ability of the older children, in particular, to express their feelings and needs in a range of situations, as well as recognising the needs of others.
Take me to more HERE
Children and Young People’s Mental Health Indicators for Scotland
Work is ongoing on this project. To keep up to date visit the NHS Health Scotland website HERE
The HandsOnScotland Toolkit
This is an online resource for anybody working with children and young people. It is a one-stop shop for practical information and techniques on how to respond helpfully to children and young people's troubling behaviour, build up their self-esteem and promote their positive mental wellbeing. Take me to this resource HERE
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, physical activity and mental health in children and young people
Explores the relationships between physical activity and mental health improvement in children and young people. The summary presents evidence on the relationship between physical activity and both promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental health problems in children and young people. The Practitioners’ Briefing is a practical guide which outlines the evidence and provides pointers for practice. This is aimed at a wide range of practitioners who work with children and young people.
Evidence briefing summary can be accessed HERE
Practitioners’ Briefing can be accessed HERE
Full research report can be accessed HERE
Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioural Disorders Among Young People
The report is the result of a 2-year study and highlights key advances in prevention research over the last 15 years and defines a policy and research agenda for the future. The report emphasises the need for evidence-based interventions in a range of family, school and community settings. A free downloadable copy of the summary can be accessed HERE
feeling like crap: young people and the meaning of self esteem
The book explores how a young person’s self is constructed and what might really help that self to feel more valued and confident.
Take me to more about this book HEREsamaritans youth pack
This pack helps introduce young people to a range of issues that affect emotional health and wellbeing and addresses emotional confusion commonly associated with puberty and adolescence. Provides resource materials and suggests ways these may be used. It contains a series of practical workshops and information in the following areas:
- Helping you to help Young People
- Emotional health and wellbeing
- Stress Anxiety and Fear
- Isolation
Take me to this pdf resource HERE
survey reveals depressed youths
1 in 10 young people in Scotland find life meaningless, according to a survey by The Prince’s Trust. In response, the Trust is introducing a new screening tool which will assess a young person’s mental and emotional wellbeing and help to identify those at risk from a range of issues, while endeavouring to provide them with relevant support.
To read more about this, on the BBC website, go HERE
self-harm in adolescents: self-report survey in schools in scotland
A consortium of researchers, including the Suicidal Behaviour Research Group, University of Stirling, found that 13.8% of over 2000 respondents (pupils aged 15-16), reported self-harm, with girls over 3 times as likely to report it as boys. The findings suggest a role for emotional literacy programmes in schools and highlight the importance of promoting positive mental health among adolescents.
To read a synopsis from the British Journal of Psychiatry, go HERE
young scotland in mind
Led by Barnardos, this forum helps bring together voluntary sector organisations across Scotland to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Their website includes an online forum.
Take me to this resource HERE
bebo social network site for young people’s mental health
In collaboration with Penumbra and a group of young people, Well Scotland’s National Programme has created a profile page on Bebo where young people can chat and share information. The aim of the forum is to raise awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing, and help to create a young people’s ‘mental health movement’. It is targeted at young people aged between 13-18 years old.
Take me to this resource HERE
headroom campaign
Launched in summer 2008, Headroom is a long-term campaign (delivered on television, online and in the community) to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage everyone to look after their mental wellbeing.
Take me to this resource HERE
School meals in Scotland 2009
An official statistics publication which presents the results of the latest annual survey of school meals, for the school year 2008/09. In 2007/08 a pilot project offered free school meals for all P1–P3 pupils in five local authority areas.
Download the pdf document HERE
Growing Up in Scotland (GUS): Food and Activity Summary Report
This report uses data from the Growing Up in Scotland study to explore issues related to, food and activity in Scotland specifically in relation to young children.
Take me to this report HEREbeat - eating disorders website
Beat is a UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association.
Take me to this resource HERE
scotland’s children’s diet too high in sugar
With sweets, biscuits and cakes playing too much of a part in what children eat, particularly in Scotland’s poorest communities. The report from the Food Standards Agency evidences there is some way to go to reach Scottish Dietary Targets.
Take me to this report HERE
new nutritional requirements for schools
A guide to implementing nutritional requirements for food and drink in schools was issued by the Scottish Government in September 2008.
Take me to this resource HERE
‘eat well, be well’
The Food Standards Agency website has sections on children and on teenagers, with quizzes, menus, hints on worries (e.g. spots, for teenagers).
Take me to this resource HERE
healthy eating websites for children and for young people
Take me to this resource HERE
NEW - Prevention of substance use among adolescents through social and emotional training in school: a latent-class analysis of a five-year intervention in Sweden
Birgitta Kimber, Rolf Sandell
Journal of Adolescence Vol 32 No 6 - December 2009: 1403-1413
The study considers the impact of a program for social and emotional learning in Swedish schools on use of drugs, volatile substances, alcohol and tobacco. It concludes that such programs, given a duration of two years or more, may dampen increases in use with age and discourage early debut.
Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how to prevent excessive use
30 Oct 2009 from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This research looks at what influences how children and young people behave towards alcohol. From two linked research reviews which examine how young people acquire their knowledge, attitudes, expectations and intentions about alcohol, and what interventions work best to prevent excessive use of alcohol.
To download both reports or a summary go HERE
Coming ‘down here’: young people's reflections on becoming entrenched in a local drug scene
Danya Fast, Will Small, Evan Wood, Thomas Kerr
Social Science and Medicine Vol 69, No 8 - October 2009: 1204-1210
This study was undertaken in order to explore how young people who were currently street-entrenched characterized and understood their initiation into the local drug scene in downtown Vancouver, Canada. The findings stress the need for early intervention with youth, before they are initiated into the social networks and processes that rapidly propel young people towards risk within these contexts.
Read more HERE
SNAPY is the Scottish Network of Alcohol Practitioners for the Young
It is estimated that at least 65,000 children in Scotland are living with the effects of parental alcohol misuse. Studies have identified that improved, earlier identification, better multi/inter-agency working and better informed practitioners will be key to improving these children’s lives. The Network will allow for the sharing of good practice, skills and resources and the advancement of new and innovative approaches to service development when working with children and young people affected by alcohol misuse.
Take me to more information HERE
Drinking in the UK: An exploration of trends
Rising alcohol consumption is a cause for concern. This evidence review summarises interesting trends in drinking in the UK and discusses possible causes.
Take me to this report HERE
educ’alcool
This pioneering campaign from Quebec is influencing Scotland’s responses to our relationship with alcohol – the site includes resources and ideas about working with children and young people
Take me to this resource HERE'drugs - what every parent should know'
Information booklet suggests ways to engage with young people, gives information about drugs and identifying drugs use, and what to do in an emergency.
Visit Know The Score website for general information, or call the helpline on 0800 587 5879, for copies of the leaflet.
Young people’s views on sex and UK sexual health services
Young people’s views of sexual health and their experiences have been published in July 2009 by UNICEF UK and the Terence Higgins Trust. The report helps identify why some young people engage in risky sexual behaviour.
View the report HERE
New sexual health leaflets
New information leaflets on chlamydia, vaginal health, genital herpes, gonorrhoea and genital warts are now available form NHS Health Scotland. Translations available soon.
Take me to this resource HERE
sexual health needs of looked after young people in Fife
View the PDF report HERE
Pleasure: Why and how to raise the issue of sexual pleasure in sexual health work with young people.
A new booklet produced by the Sheffield Centre for HIV and Sexual health. Order from HERE
Why Abortion?
New DVD produced by the Family Planning Association, an easy-to-use resource for anyone working in education and social services exploring the realities faced by women. Order HERE
Invisible dads: working with young dads resource pack
Young fathers are often marginalised. This pack promotes an approach to working positively with young dads. Available on line from the Fatherhood Institute. Take me to this resource HEREsexual rights
The International Planned Parenthood Federation has produced a declaration on the sexual rights that every person should have. Take me to this resource HEREno place like home
This is a US based web site that promotes the parents role in sex and relationship education. More HEREru thinking about it: sexual health and relationship website for young people
RU thinking has a new look to it’s website HERE
World Health Organisation Physical Activity
A new website launched by WHO Regional Office for Europe features information about the importance of physical activity for health and how it can be promoted.
Take me to this resource HERE
What to do:
A guide to resources for outdoor learning and award schemes HERE
Taking Learning Outdoors: Partnerships for Excellence
This report considers how to prove the value of outdoor learning and how to improve its quality, capacity and access.
Take me to this report HERE
playing it safe: A study of the regulation of outdoor play for children and young people in residential care
This study describes and explains the barriers to outdoor play and recreation that exist in residential childcare services. Produced by Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People and SIRCC.
Take me to this REPORTPhysical Activity and Mental Health: The Role of Physical Activity in Promoting Mental Wellbeing and Preventing Mental Health Problems
This report has a particular focus on children and young people, was published in August 2008.
Available HERE
Cancertalk
The Cancertalk website is Macmillan’s resource guide for teachers and youth group leaders. Here you'll find all the information, support and resources you need to talk about cancer with children and young people.
Take me to this resource HEREFact File 2009-2010
Action for Children have produced a new update on their invaluable guide to key facts and information about Scotland’s children.
Take me to this report HEREtobacco education resources
Tobacco use kills 13,500 people in Scotland every year and remains Scotland's greatest public health challenge. ASH Scotland raises awareness about the impact of tobacco in Scotland’s health. A range of resources to support work with children and young people are available.
Take me to this resource HERE
youth health talk
This website with video and audio clips from interviews in which young people describe their experiences of health and illness. It is operated by the charity DIPEx. Sections include: Epilepsy, Sexual Health, Long Term Health Conditions. Young people can also join forums.
Take me to this resource HERE