As a School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN), I work with the school community on a range of issues that can affect the health and wellbeing of young people and the school community as a whole.
SBYHNs work with a preventative and health promotion focus and offer a confidential service that can provide health information to students and parents, teachers and the school community.
Individual health consultations with students may include:
- Early detection of actual or potential health problems
- Providing information, options or referrals regarding relevant health services to provide them with further assessment, treatment or support and
- Providing brief interventions and/or referrals as appropriate
Some of the main issues for which young people access a SBYHN are:
- Mental health
- Alcohol, tobacco, vaping & drug use
- Health promotion: healthy lifestyles, healthy eating & exercise.
Where possible and with the young person’s consent, the school may establish a team approach with the school wellbeing team and teachers to address the needs of the young person.
Students are able to book appointments via email, visiting the HUB or teachers can refer students.