Young Adults

Designed specifically for our patients aged 15 to 25 years old. Our aim is to provide you with a safe, easy to understand and confidential environment.

All consultations are in the STRICTEST OF CONFIDENCE. We will not discuss anything with anyone else without your consent. (There may be a very rare occasion when it is necessary to share information if we feel you or someone else is at risk of serious harm, but we would try and discuss this with you first).

Our reception staff and dispensary team are fully trained in patient confidentiality. They are not allowed to disclose any information about you, even the fact that they have spoken to you or seen you in the waiting room with anyone else.

If you are over 16 years of age you can register to use SystmOnline, which is our secure online service. (You need to register in person at our reception and bring photo i.d). This allows you to book, cancel or view any appointments and order any repeat medication. This online service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

If you would like to help improve the services we offer to 15-25 year old's registered with our practice why not become part of our young patients participation group send your contact details in an e-mail to wsx.ppg.loxwoodmedicalpractice@nhs.net to sign-up.

We would also like to point you in the direction of another website aimed at young people, full of helpful advice and information on a broad selection of subjects

https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/?location=Brighton%20%26%20Hove%20and%20West%20Sussex

Mental Health Problems

Mental health problems are very common; especially during times of stress. Loxwood Medical Practice is here to help if you feel things are becoming too much. We are available from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday for face-to-face or telephone appointments.

Mental Health information leaflet

Chichester Youth connections 13-19 years of age service

This service is provided by Chichester District Council, to find help you find practical support for feeling lonely or isolated, lack of confidence or just wanting a greater sense of connection to your local community or friends.

to find out more just click on this logo to see their website and self-referral form.

How do I get help?

If you are having a mental health crisis click here

Sussex Mental Healthline: 0300 5000 101

Book an appointment with your GP here. If you are worried about speaking to your GP, or not sure what you would say, have a look at DocReady for some help getting the most out of your appointment

Help is also available through school and college support services and YouthHub @Horsham. The professionals here or your GP may be able to refer you to Youth Emotional Support (YES). This is an excellent service forming part of the West Sussex Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Find out about YES here or visit their Facebook page

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support is also available via this link Community based counselling services - YMCA DownsLink Group (ymcadlg.org)

You can make a self referral for any young person via the form on their website.

https://youtu.be/ZizVCcCq3eM

See the source image

Could your parents help? It is often hard for parents to know what they can say or do that would make you feel better. The most important thing is to start talking so that people know how you are feeling. It might be useful to show your parents this:

HAPPY MAPS

What about going online?

See the selection of sites recommended by the NHS here

Headspace offers mindfulness and meditation apps to improve your wellbeing

Young minds has a range of resources to give you a boost

WYSA can help manage your mood when no-one else is available

Are you struggling with thoughts of self-harm? The Calm app can help you gain control

Alternatively you could attend one of these courses, see the information leaflet below

Adverse Childhood Experience

Sexual Health

The nearest sexual health clinics are located in Guildford and Horsham. They provide free and confidential advice on contraception, sexual health, testing for sexually transmitted infections and help in the event of an unplanned pregnancy or emergency contraception.

Surrey Sexual Health Advice 020 3317 5252

Sexual Health West Sussex 0845 111 3546

We also provide confidential support for the above problems at Loxwood Medical Practice. Please contact reception if you would like to book an appointment or a telephone call with one of our team.

Did you know?

Contraceptive prescriptions are FREE on the NHS

You can order free condoms online and receive them in the post https://www.sexualhealthwestsussex.nhs.uk/condomsonline/

You can join the c-card scheme to get FREE condoms and chlamydia testing at venues in Surrey

You may be able to have FREE testing for sexually transmitted infections anonymously by post. Click here for more details

Do you still have questions about contraception or sexual health?

Take a look at

West Sussex county Council are running a survey on the provision of sexual health services within the local area. They would appreciate any feedback you can provide them. Here is a link to their survey.

https://haveyoursay.westsussex.gov.uk/public-health/sexual-health-survey

www.msichoices.org.uk MSI Reproductive Choices offer support and information regarding the termination of a pregnancy

Patients do not need a GP referral to access their TOP service

To self-refer, patients can call them 24/7 on 0345 300 8090

They can offer same-day appointments and treatment

They have a free webchat service which patients and GPs can use to speak to one of our team quickly and confidentially

Their clinics are located in central Brighton, Bognor Regis, Crawley and Hastings

Drugs and Alcohol

We can offer you friendly, confidential advice on any subject related to drugs, but normally we would like to refer you to a more specialist team. www.talktofrank.com is full of information about what drugs are, dealing with pressures from your mates, looking after yourself and what to do if things go wrong and where to get help.

emailfrank@talktofrank.com

Drug and alcohol support in West Sussex is provided by Change, Grow, Live. This charity has been set up to help you beat your addiction. You can refer yourself to this service or make an appointment to discuss with your GP.

e-mail: WestSussex.contact@cgl.org.uk or call: 0300 303 8677

Smoking

If you would like help to quit smoking ask for an appointment with one of our nurses, who can give you tips and support. Our waiting room has a number of leaflets to help as well.

Did you know?

There are many different ways to help you give up smoking including tablets, patches, vaping and psychological support

You are around 4 times more likely to be successful in your attempt to quit if you see a professional, such as one of our practice nurses, for support

Alternatively there are a number of other organisations such as NHS Smoke Free 0300 123 1044 or visit

Young Carers

Do you look after someone? Do you have no time for friends and study? Are you feeling under pressure and worried? We can support you in your caring role. Come and tell us you are a carer, we will make a note on your medical record as this may entitle you to more services and benefits.

If you live in Surrey you can also contact Surrey Young Carers on 01483 568269 or

West Sussex Young Carers is an organisation run by West Sussex County Council for people aged 5-18. Ask an adult to refer you or call them on 01903 270300, or follow the link below

If you live in West Sussex are aged 18-25 you may find more help from ‘Shine’ who are part of Carers Support West Sussex. They can be contacted on 0300 028 8888 or email shine@carerssupport.org.uk

Young adults newsletter 1st edition

Young adults 'mental health' newsletter

Mental health information leaflet

Young adults 'sexual health' newsletter

This service is available for anyone aged 11 to 18 living in the UK that is worried about their own, or someone else’s gambling or money spent in gaming.

They offer advice, guidance and education to parents, carers and medical professionals as well. They generally ask the screening question “Are you worried about your own, or someone else’s gambling or money spent in gaming?” for determining eligibility.

They are a newer service with no waiting lists and no limits on how long clients can stay in contact with the service.

There are three ways to seek help:

Self-referral via the from on big deal website https://bigdeal.org.uk/referral-form/ (parents or carers and professionals can also refer a YP with their consent)

Via the gambling helpline available 24/7: 0808 8020 133.They can also give advice and guidance, and triage and send referrals straight through to adult or YP services

Via NetLine: https://bigdeal.org.uk/ (Live chat button top corner) Same as HelpLine.

By contacting the YPS directly on youngpeopleservice@gamcare.org.uk or 0203 092 6964 (9am-8pm Monday-Thursday; 9am-5pm Friday). Outside these hours, you can call the National Gambling Helpline for free on 0808 8020 133 (24 hours, every day).

For adult services please visit https://www.gamcare.org.uk/

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