For Holyrood Connect’s 5th annual Digital Health and Care Awards, Children’s Health Scotland’s SMS:CONNECT programme has been shortlisted for the Innovative Mental Health Services Award!
COVID-19 has placed significant pressure on many people’s mental health, whilst simultaneously reducing their ability to access appropriate services. The Innovative Mental Health Services Award celebrates an individual or organisation that has used an innovative digital approach to continue the delivery of mental health support during this incredibly challenging period.
Commenting on the shortlisting, the Children’s Health and Wellbeing Team, lead by Gill Sutherland said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. The Digital Health and Care Scotland Awards 2022 are very prestigious, so to have our work recognised at this level feels extremely special. At what has been a hugely challenging time for so many, through a lot of hard work and some creative thinking, we have been able to turn a negative into a positive. Moving our in-person Lothian based Self-Management Service Programmes online, allowed us to reach children and young people living with a long-term health condition from all across Scotland.
“The specialist support offered through SMS:CONNECT assists those participating to develop skills on how to cope with their health condition. Skills include self-care, relaxation techniques, managing stress and how to build self-esteem and confidence. By participating with a group of peers, this also offers an opportunity for the children and young people to learn from each other. We know from the feedback gathered that being a part of the programme has had a positive impact on all those who have participated, and this can be summed up by one young person:
“SMS:CONNECT was one of the best things I could have done in terms of managing my outlook on my health condition.”
Here at Children’s Health Scotland, we are looking forward to continuing to offer SMS: CONNECT to many more children and young people in the coming year and are elated to have our work acknowledged in such a special way.”
The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, which is taking place at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, Edinburgh on Tuesday 22nd February.
If you would like to find out more and take part in SMS:CONNECT, then you can find more information and referral forms here.
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