Chat Health Service Overview
The Chat Health service is designed to provide support to young people by offering a confidential way to get help on a variety of issues. Below is an outline of the main services offered.
Who Can Use Chat Health?
Chat Health is available for young people aged 11-19 years who need advice on health, wellbeing, or other concerns. It is confidential and allows students to easily contact a healthcare professional.
How to Access Chat Health
To use the Chat Health service, simply text 07507 331 525. A member of the healthcare team will respond, typically within 24 hours during weekdays.
What You Can Ask About
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Physical Health Questions
- Relationships and Friendships
- Stress, Anxiety, and Other Emotional Concerns
- Support with Lifestyle Changes
Confidentiality Information
The Chat Health service is confidential, meaning your information is kept private. The only exception is if the health team feels there is a risk to your safety or someone else's. In such cases, they will take steps to ensure that everyone is safe.
Availability
The service operates from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Messages sent outside these hours will be responded to when the service is next open.
Why Use Chat Health?
Chat Health offers a safe, quick, and easy way to receive professional advice. Whether you're struggling with school, relationships, or just need someone to talk to, Chat Health is here to help.
To find out more, you can visit the NHS website or contact your local healthcare provider.
Digital Era Awareness
In this new Digital Era, technology is everywhere! We have the internet, email, smartphones, tablets, netbooks – the list goes on; and all these devices have access to the exciting world of the internet. In fact, do you know exactly how much access your children really have?
Many parents have limited experience of using the internet themselves, maybe only using it for web browsing and using email. Your children use it for much more – from instant messaging to downloading music, playing games, doing homework. Your children are far more 'tech savvy' than you would think – but they are still only children! It is up to us to guide them on how to use the world of technology safely and protect themselves from the dangers the internet can pose to them now, and in the future.
Our Role as 'Gate-keepers'
It is our responsibility as the adults to protect the children in our care and provide them with the guidance they need. So what can we do?
Talk! – use the materials available here and freely elsewhere on the web to discuss how and what your child views on the internet. Encourage your child to discuss what they view with you – particularly if anything upsets or concerns them.
Monitor their internet use. Keep the computer in a family room and set rules about how and when they use it.
Check the internet history and ensure there are parental controls in place. (Ask your Internet Service Provider if you are unsure how to).
Check your child has appropriate security settings on their social networking pages and check the age limits on the sites. Do you know who your child's 'online friends' are? Ask them!
Educate your child on safe internet practice. Provide a list of information they should not provide (share) electronically.
Vodafone have produced some really helpful advice for Digital Parenting. Click here to take a look.
Useful Links
Lancashire Schools E Safety Charter
Lancashire eSafety Charter Certificate
At Garstang Community Academy we are committed to the Lancashire Schools E-Safety Charter. We have adopted the rights and responsibilities of the charter and we use these in our discussions with students.
Rights & Responsibilities.
