The Health and Education Ministers have launched a digital
campaign promoting positive health and wellbeing resources
primarily to children in the early years of secondary school.
The Helping You Thrive in Secondary School campaign,
which is being launched on World Mental Health Day, involves a
series of carefully selected and age-appropriate free at the
point of use self-help apps on the HSC Apps Library on topics
such as mental wellness, mindfulness and building self-esteem.
These digital resources are focused on prevention and are
intended to provide young people with easily accessible advice
that will help them build resilience to deal with changes in
their circumstances or environment.
Health Minister said: “The apps are
aimed primarily at children who have moved from primary to
secondary education. This transition can be an exciting one,
filled with new opportunities and friendships, but it can also
potentially be unsettling and daunting for some. We
therefore want children to have the tools to grow confidently,
stay focused, and manage stress as they embark on this new
chapter, with resources that support their wellbeing and build
resilience every step of the way.
“It is timely that these positive health and
wellbeing apps are being launched on World Mental Health Day, as
this is an example of the use of digital innovation to provide
positive mental health support. The apps have been independently
evaluated to ensure they meet digital and clinical safety
standards, and they will complement existing school nursing
provision. They can be shared and promoted by the school nurse
during Year 8 Health Appraisals if deemed appropriate.”
Education Minister said: “Children and
young people's emotional health and wellbeing is a key influence
on their education; positive emotional health can help ensure
meaningful engagement with learning experiences in school and
improved learning outcomes.
“These digital resources will be a valuable
addition to my Department's ‘Being Well Doing Well' whole school
approach to positive emotional health & wellbeing in schools
and education settings.”
The apps can be accessed at https://apps4healthcareni.hscni.net/en-GB/helping-you-thrive-in-secondary-school
Notes to editors:
- The apps have been curated by Digital Health Care NI and
supported by the Department of Health.
- The apps have been assessed on three criteria: Accessibility
and user experience – ease of use and easy to understanding, Data
privacy, Clinical Input and assurance.
- It is intended that the apps will complement existing support
services and can be used by school nurses, teachers and others
interested in assisting children and young people as
a signposting tool, directing the young people to the
appropriate app to help deal with issues they may be
experiencing. The Department of Education (DE) and
Department of Health (DoH) fund a number of programmes
in schools under the joint Emotional Health and Wellbeing in
Education Framework. Further details can be found on the
DE website at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/emotional-health-and-wellbeing
- Based on their conversations and assessments, school nurses
can recommend particular apps in the campaign suitable for that
child's individual needs. Alternatively, they can recommend
the app to the parent or guardian.
- It is recommended that the apps are accessed and used at
home, outside of school hours
