Starting Well: Children, Young People and Families

This section looks at health and wellbeing issues which affect infants and children through to young adults. Some issues are specific to particular stages in childhood, whilst others may manifest first during childhood or have the greatest impact at a younger age. Experiences in childhood can shape behaviour throughout life so establishing a good foundation in this stage is vital. Data in this section can help identify priorities to help reduce inequalities experienced in the early years between different geographic areas and different socio-economic groups.

Box 3, Young People and Community Health Services, Perceptions and Experiences

In May 2014, the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) started a major review of community health and care services. Healthwatch Devon undertook a survey of young people in Budleigh Salterton, which has a predominantly older population profile, to gain insights into what younger people thought about community health services in the area.  A total of 281 young people from Budleigh Salterton took part in the engagement, through an online survey, and focus groups and interviews at different locations.

Key findings include:

  • The top three health and care issues highlighted by young people were sexual health, mental health and smoking
  • Young people want frank and open discussions, but health professionals can seem inaccessible and unfriendly
  • Young people want better awareness of mental health issues including self-harm
  • Young people with special needs often feel excluded from places and activities

Healthwatch Devon concluded that future community wellbeing hubs could be of value and relevance to young people if they provided advice and resources about a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, self-harm and eating disorders, alongside the provision of social space for the whole community.

Source

Healthwatch Devon, ‘Young people speak out on community health services’ Report, 2014

http://healthwatchdevon.co.uk/young-people-speak-out/