Secondary school health
Community health nurses in schools (often referred to as school health nurses) play a major role in developing and influencing health knowledge, positive health-related attitudes and behaviours with students and families.
They are registered nurses employed by CAHS and the WA Country Health Service (WACHS).
School health nurses work together with school staff, young people, parents, care givers, other government and non-government agencies to support and promote the health and wellbeing of the entire school community.
What does a high school health nurse do? (for young people in Years 7 to 12).
Most school health nurses in high schools are based in schools. They provide information and support to staff, students and parents on adolescent development and healthy growth that includes:
- health education to groups and classes
- providing brief interventions and access to care
- mental health and wellbeing support
- supporting the School Based Immunisation Program on their visits to schools, sharing information about why immunisations are important, and working with schools and families to collect and safely store immunisation consent data
- providing non-judgmental information that helps build coping skills and resilience
- referrals to appropriate external services if required further assessment or intervention
- helping with health care plans for students with identified or chronic health needs.
School health nurses are someone students can to talk to about anything... they’re there to listen!
Students can talk to school health nurses about things that might be worrying them and can answer health and wellbeing questions.
When students visit the school health nurse, it’s confidential. They will only speak to a parent or guardian if they’re concerned for the young person’s safety and wellbeing or someone else’s.
Things that young people often talk to school health nurses about:
Mental health
- stress and anxiety
- self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- exams and other schoolwork
- coping strategies
Sexual health
- contraception and pregnancy advice
- relationships
- LGBTIQ+ support
- sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)
Friendships and families
- bullying
- fitting in
- feeling alone
- issues at home
Drinking, smoking, vaping and other drug use
- partying
- peer pressure
- risk taking
Physical health
- ongoing illness
- sleep habits
- healthy eating and physical activity
- changes to your body.
School Based Immunisation Program
The nationally funded free School Based Immunisation Program offers protection against several vaccine-preventable diseases. It is a free service provided to all Year 7 and Year 10 students through the school they attend.
Students with identified health needs
Our school health nurses can provide advice and support to Department of Education school staff for students with additional health needs. They work closely with:
- dietitians
- neurologists
- speech pathologists
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- Child Development Service
- Perth Children’s Hospital
How to contact the school health nurse
The school health centre is a place where young people can drop in or make appointments to discuss health and wellbeing issues with the nurse. Parents, teachers or student services teams can also refer students to the school health nurse.
You can contact your school health nurse through the school office.
Important numbers
CAMHS Crisis Connect is a free 24/7 mental health advice hotline that provides free phone and online videocall support seven days a week, 24 hours a day on 1800 048 636 for young people.
Rurallink is a free telephone service for people in rural, regional and remote communities experiencing a mental health crisis 1800 552 002.
Health Direct offers free 24/7 health advice 1800 022 222.
Alternatively, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 which provides free 24/7 counselling advice.
You can read more about School Health Nurses in Secondary Schools here.
Meet Lyndsay, a school health nurse based at a high school in the Shire of Mundaring. Her role is to listen, guide, refer and support students through the many health and life challenges adolescence throws at them, so that they grow up to be healthy, happy and ready to take on the world.