The School Based Youth Health Nurse Program (SBYHN) provides one-on-one health consultations with state high school students, providing them with advice and support on their health care needs. They also work with Education Queensland staff to assist students and their families with identified health concerns and refer them to the appropriate services.
The Youth Health Nurse can provide health and wellbeing information about:
- Feeling unhappy or stressed
- Relationships
- Healthy skin
- Healthy eating and physical activity
- Personal and family problems
- Growth and development
- Sexual Health
- Smoking, alcohol and other drugs.
What does a SBYHN do?
The SBYHN works with young people, school staff and parents to:
- Promote health and wellbeing
- Create a supportive, healthy school environment
- Connect people with other support services.
The Youth Health nurse works with the school community on issues that may affect the health and wellbeing of young people and the school community as a whole. This includes helping with curriculum; teaching and learning activities; providing health information and referral; supporting the development of an environment and school culture that supports health and wellbeing; and working with community and other services.
Young people have the right to confidentiality when accessing health services. Confidentiality means not talking to others about your personal stuff. As a health service provider the Youth Health Nurse respects your privacy but there are some things which the nurse must refer or act upon. Please discuss what is expected about confidentiality with the Youth Health Nurse.
Parents:
In most cases it is best for young people to talk to their parents about their health and wellbeing issues. The Youth Health Nurse can support young people to do this.
The Youth Health Nurse does not provide:
- Treatment such as medications, injections and first aid
- Physical examinations
- Ongoing counselling for psychological problems.
Getting the best help for you:
At times other services can provide more appropriate or further help or support for young people. The Youth Health Nurse will discuss the options for working with other services or linking young people with the right services.
General Resources
Below are some helpful resources targeted at youth in a range of health related topics.
Substance use can have a negative impact on social and family relationships, lifestyle, and health. Any concerns related to alcohol and other drugs, can be discussed with the school nurse.
Anger is a normal emotion. If managed well it should not create problems, it depends on how it is expressed. Get some tips from the below websites to assist in understanding anger.
Adolescents are often critical about how they look and this can impact negatively on their self esteem. Discover how positive or negative body image affects young people’s self esteem with the links below.
Bullying can negatively impact mental health, physical health and young peoples schooling. Click on the resources below to assist with understanding bullying and its effect on young people.
There are different types of sexuality, and it can take time for young people to figure out what is right for them. More information about gender identity is contained below.
Good mental health enhances young people’s ability to cope with life’s every day stressors. Get some tips from the below websites to assist in fostering positive mental health.
Positive relationships are important for good health. With supportive, loving relationships, young people are more likely to be happy and cope with the transition to adulthood.
Sexual health is more than staying free from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) it also includes safety, pleasure and respect. Sexual health fosters a positive approach to sexuality and sexual relationships and promotes consensual, equitable and safe relationships.
