Tag: health and welbeing

Scottish Government announces investment in social media support

New steps to support young people’s mental health.

Steps to improve the mental health of young people, and directly target the impact of social media and body image on mental wellbeing, are to be supported through a new package of measures.

This includes £90,000 of funding to produce advice on the healthy use of social media and screen time, which will be created in partnership with young people.

In addition, a review of evidence on the effects of screen use on sleep and the implications of this for mental health will be commissioned.

The announcement follows the publication of new research from the Scottish Government which identifies social media, sleep disruption, body image and school pressures as potential factors in the reported worsening of mental wellbeing among adolescent girls in Scotland (see report below).

Minister for Mental Health Clare Haughey returned to her former school, Trinity High School in Rutherglen, to meet with pupils and discuss the research.

Ms Haughey said: “We know that many young people in Scotland, particularly girls, are unsatisfied with their physical appearance, and that high levels of social media use may be detrimental to mental wellbeing. We also know that adolescent girls in Scotland report higher levels of social media use than boys.

“Social media does have the potential to be used in a hugely positive way, but we want to ensure young people are properly informed on how social media promotes unrealistic expectations.

“During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week we announced that we will be producing advice, specific to Scotland, on the healthy use of social media and screen time. We are now committing £90,000 to carry out this work as part of a package of measures to give young people the support they need. We want all young people to be able to grow up in a modern Scotland with good mental wellbeing.”

Exploring the reported worsening of mental wellbeing among adolescent girls in Scotland report:

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Fostering Relations reflects on first decade

By working with local authorities across Scotland, Fostering Relations aim to provide the best care plans for children and young people and to ensure safe and supported placements until plans have been achieved.

Lyndsay Johnston, Carer Recruitment Officer, said: “We believe that every child has the right to feel safe, healthy and happy and so are committed to provide this for children and young people who have experienced abuse, disruption and trauma in their lives”.

Since opening their doors in 2007, Fostering Relations have supported over 270 children and young people by giving them quality, supported and stable family placements. There are currently 45 carer households and 49 children within Fostering Relations’ care.

Having recently been inspected by The Care Inspectorate, Fostering Relations received Very Good for both their Care & Support and Management and Leadership. Testament to this is, fifty percent of care leavers so far in 2017 have gone onto undertake degree courses.

Bryan Ritchie, Registered Manager, said: “Our carers often say that they humbled by the strength and courage of the children and young people within our care. Many of the carers tell us that what attracted them to fostering Relations was the close relations and ‘family feel’ makes them feel like they’re part of something special.

“We’ve had an amazing first ten years and are excited to see what the future holds for us. We aim to continue our journey looking after Scotland’s most vulnerable children. ”

For more information on Fostering Relations and what opportunities are available to you, visit www.fosteringrelations.org.uk or call a member of our team on 01383 661630.