Bracknell

Bracknell Forest school nurses are being trained to pick up the early signs of mental illness in teenagers.

A course run by staff from the borough council's social services department is expected to begin in January and will also involve around 10 staff from the Connexions youth service, based in Bracknell High Street. They offer support and advice to young people aged 13-19.

School nurses are employed by the Bracknell Forest Primary Care Trust (PCT) and visit schools on a rota basis.

Social services assistant director Glyn Jones said the Bracknell course was being run following a successful trial with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. He said: "They will receive training to help them identify tell-tale signs such as unexplained changes in behaviour and eating and sleeping patterns. "They will also keep an eye out for drug and alcohol related issues."

Social services and housing director Daphne Obang told members of the Bracknell council's adult social care and housing overview and scrutiny panel on December 1: "There has been some early intervention work. We have been assisting school nurses on their awareness of the mental health needs of children and young people. "It's important that at this stage we should assist nurses to raise awareness."

Bracknell Forest PCT spokeswoman Cathryn Bullimore said although nurses had not been aware of an increase in mental health needs among young people, more training would help. She said: "I'm sure they would welcome that and any assistance from the social services team." She said there was some work already been done, including an anti-bullying work-shop at Meadow Vale Primary School earlier this year.

icBerkshire ~ Bracknell ~ Dec 15 2005