Staying healthy and well 

There are many reasons to encourage and support young people to stay healthy and understand how to be more mindful of their physical and mental health, including:

• Lifestyle improvements lead to positive behaviours and good habits

• Healthy eating and sensible weight management can support young people who struggle to eat well and maintain a healthy weight

• Exercise and staying active are important habits to adopt for a healthy lifestyle

• Blood Pressure monitoring and an understanding of measures that contribute to a personal health plan

• Practical aspects of independent living such as how to do carbon monoxide readings and stay safe and well at home 

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How can you improve your wellbeing?

Young people and adults living in Northumberland who want to improve their health and are aged 16 years and over, can access the free health trainer’s service who can work with individuals on a one-to-one basis or in a group.

 

The friendly health trainers can help you stay healthy and prevent illness by:

• Identifying ways of improving your lifestyle and helping you to plan and carry out those changes

• Providing information on healthy eating, weight management, making nutritional meals and snacks

• Introducing you to an exercise class or activity and come with you if it will help

• Offering encouragement and support to maintain your new healthy lifestyle

• Taking your blood pressure and carbon monoxide readings

• Signposting you to other local services

• Drawing up a personal health plan for you

Speak to your GP, Nurse or other Health Professional if you would like to be referred, or you can simply get in touch with them directly on 01670 623 840.

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Explore the support and free programmes available from the Northumberland Health Trainer Service by clicking here.

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Support for substance misuse 

If you feel you would like some advice about a young person's choices around smoking, drinking or drugs, contact SORTED who can provide support around making safe choices. SORTED is a Substance Misuse service for young people in Northumberland (substances apply to all legal and illegal drugs, alcohol, volatile substances and over the counter and prescription drugs).

For more information, contact 01670 536 400 or visit the SORTED webpage by clicking here.  

 

If you want advice to support a young person to stop smoking, you can contact the Northumberland Stop Smoking Service. Visit the website to access the free stop smoking toolkit and to contact the team.

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Looking after your own health, moving from Children’s to Adult’s Healthcare

As a young person turns 18 years old, they may leave Children’s Health Services and move into Adult Health Services. This supports decision making around healthcare, which could include going to hospital, dentist and optician appointments. It is good to talk about your health with family, carers, friends or school and college. They can help you to make sure you remember to go to health appointments and practice going to these appointments together as part of the journey towards greater independence, where possible.

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If you have had a Paediatrician (Children’s Doctor), or a healthcare professional they usually do not see a young person once they have become 18. Speak to your Doctor, Nurse or Therapist to find out what will happen when you turn 18.

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If a young person has a learning disability, your GP can provide a health check for you from the age of 14 years. Ask your GP to go on the disability register. Having these health checks every year will help your GP to know you better and understand your healthcare needs.

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Understanding a long term condition

It is important that young people understand any long term conditions which are affecting them, particularly as they approach an age where they may need to become more independent. These conditions could include ADHD, Autism, Diabetes and Epilepsy. Young people can talk to their Paediatrician, GP or Public Health School Nurse or other people such as parents, carers, social workers and teachers.

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Feeling worried?

Things that happen as young people get older may make them feel anxious and worried, which can affect their health and wellbeing. Worries can show themselves in many ways including feeling sick, being unable to sleep, getting snappy with people, feeling bad about themselves and even making a young person feel like they can’t cope.

 

There are lots of support services available to help young people who are feeling like running away, hurting themselves, not wanting to get out of bed or taking their own life. Help includes talking to family members, carers, friends, teachers, doctors/GPs, Public Health School Nurses and the Samaritans.

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Talking Matters Northumberland offers a free psychological treatment, support and recovery service for the people of Northumberland over the age of 16 years for depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health related problems. Find out more on the Talking Matters Northumberland website by clicking here.