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1. Accessing trusted information about COVID-19
1. For advice if you are feeing unwell
2. For latest situation updates about COVID-19
3. What you need to know about Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19
2. Resources for young people to look after themselves during coronavirus pandemic
1. Information and strategies to cope with Coronavirus
2. Self-help digital tools such as apps, online space for young people
3. Interactive platforms for young people to share their experience and worries with someone (they do not replace professional advice)
4. Online support and counseling for young people
5. Tips for how to stay safe online
3. Resources to support 2020 Year 12 students
1. Information and resources relating to HSC 2020
4. Resources for parents/carers and healthcare workers
1. Information for strategies and support to cope with Coronavirus
2. Resources to help support your children and adolescents
3. Parenting resources

Accessing trusted information about COVID-19

Young people can be overwhelmed by the amount of information about COVID-19.  The following resources help young people, their parents/carers and healthcare workers to access trusted information to

• inform young people about COVID-19 and
• support young people coping in the COVID-19 environment.

For advice if you are feeing unwell

• NSW Government advises that even if you have mild respiratory symptoms (such as cough, sore/scratchy throat or shortness of breath) or unexplained fever, get tested at a COVID-19 testing clinic. Self-isolate until you get your results.
• If you need advice call the National Coronavirus helpline 1800 020 080 (24- hour helpline) or your GP (local doctor).
• For other medical emergencies, visit the emergency department.

For latest situation updates about COVID-19

• Australian Government Department of Health
• Alerts on COVID-19 in Australia
• NSW Health 
• NSW alerts and advice on COVID-19 and follow NSW Health on Facebook
• NSW Government
• Latest COVID-19 case locations in NSW
• Information and advice on COVID-19 for community and businesses in NSW
• For non-health related COVID-19 enquiries, please call 13 77 88

What you need to know about Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• ​Australian Government Department of Health
• Find out how COVIDSafe app works to protect us
• Videos on: Good hygiene starts here; Help stop the spread; Physical distancing; Stay informed; How quickly the virus spread
• Healthdirect
• Answering your frequently asked questions
• Understanding COVID-19 through pictures and infographics
• NSW Government
• Information on how to stay safe, healthy and well and stop the spread
• Information on symptoms and testing
• Information and resources for the Aboriginal community - Keep our mob safe
• NSW Health
• Dr Jan Frizzell answering COVID-19 health question live on Facebook (on weekdays at 2pm), including past videos
• Fact sheets, posters and resources for various settings (health facilities, social media)
• Accessible COVID resources for people with disability (fact sheets, videos)
• Advocate Children and Young People
• A series of videos that provide updates and information to children and young people

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Resources for young people to look after themselves during coronavirus pandemic

Information and strategies to cope with Coronavirus

• Advocate Children and Young People
• Activities ideas for young people to take care of their health and wellbeing
• AIDS Council NSW (ACON)
• Fact sheet on dealing with stress and anxiety for LGBTQ
• Beyondblue
• Ways to look after young people’s mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic
• Headspace
• How to cope with stress related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Kids helpline
• Information to cope with young people’s biggest problems faced right now (eg, mental health, school, work, quarantines).
• NSW Health
• Healthy Eating Active Living provides activities ideas on staying healthy, active, and healthy eating during isolation or at home
• Playsafe provides information about do’s and don’ts during COVID-19 in relation to dating, safe sex, STI testing and wellbeing
• Quick tips on staying at home
• Your room provides information on how not to use unhelpful coping strategies such as alcohol and other drugs during isolation (the page also incl. a Drink meter app)
• Northern Sydney Youth Health Promotion
• Practical tips dealing with self-isolation developed by young people
• Reachout
• Resources to help young people cope with Coronavirus and manage their wellbeing
• Youth beyondblue
• Learn about signs and symptoms of mental health and other issues concerning young people such as bullying; and what support options are available

Self-help digital tools such as apps, online space for young people

• Black Dog Institute
• Bite Back helps young people build resilience in an interactive environment
• iBobbly is a free self-help app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (aged 15 years old and over). It teaches young people ways to manage their thoughts and feelings.
• Headspace
• Self-guided meditation app to teach meditation and mindfulness skills to help people stress less, focus more and sleep better
• Smiling Minds
• Thrive Inside app helps to stay calm, healthy, connected and foster good mental habits in the physical constraints of your home (the Thrive Inside app is found within the Smiling Minds free app).

Interactive platforms for young people to share their experience and worries with someone (they do not replace professional advice)

• Beyondblue/ Youth Beyondblue - moderated online forums
• The Young People community is for aged 12-25 to discuss life and wellbeing issues during tough times
• Relevant communities (on various topics) for those wanting to share or seek helpful support during the coronavirus outbreak
• Kids helpline - moderated online forums
• My circle is a safe online peer support group for 13-25 years olds to supporting others going through similar challenges
• Reachout - moderated online forums
• The Reachout community is a safe place for 14-25 years old to chat, connect and support each other.
• UNICEF - platform to share stories
• COVID-19 and youth mental health shares inspirational stories and messages by young people around the world trying to adapt to this new (temporary) normal
• The Voices of Youth platform allows 13-24 years old to share their stories and stay positive in times of uncertainty.

Online support and counseling for young people

• Beyondblue
• Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service, young people can email, chat online, or call 1300 22 4636
• Kids helpline
• Young people can get help via email, WebChat, or call on 1800 55 1800 anytime for any issue
• eheadspace
• Young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends can join group chat, or one-on-one chat via email or call 1800 650 890

Tips for how to stay safe online

• eSafety Commissioner
• eSafety young people provides information on various topics to help young people stay safe online
• Tips for staying safe online during COVID-19 pandemic

Resources to support 2020 Year 12 students

The COVID-19 pandemic period has been a stressful time for all, school students need reassurance for their future, especially Year 12 students, who have experienced additional stress.

The following information and resources relating to Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 2020 are compiled for use by Year 12 students, their parents/carers and healthcare workers.

Information and resources relating to HSC 2020

• NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
• NESA Coronavirus advice provides latest COVID-19 advice, NESA updates its advice regularly as the Coronavirus outbreak unfolds
• COVID-19 HSC advice provides all information year 12 students need to know:
• HSC exams are going ahead in 2020
• HSC key dates and exam timetables
• What to do if the school is closed, students are unwell or required to self -isolate on the day of an HSC exam
• COVID-safe measures and contingency plans put in place to keep students safe
• What has changed for students
• Stay healthy during the HSC
• For all HSC activities, NESA and schools are following advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)
• NSW University Admissions Centre (NSW UAC)
• NSW UAC’s response to COVID-19 helps year 12 students stay up to date on important advice
• Joint National Statement on University Entry for 2020 Year 12 students explains the pathway to university for 2020 (different from previous years due to disruption caused by COVID-19)
• Reachout
• This study hub supports students to get through study related stress such as fear for the future, exam stress, staying motivated

Resources for parents/carers and healthcare workers

Information for strategies and support to cope with Coronavirus

• Australia Psychological Society
• Information sheets to cope with coronavirus anxiety (including information sheet for frontline workers)
• Beyondblue
• Ways to look after your mental health amid the coronavirus pandemic
• Seek support from the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service, you can email, chat online or call 1300 22 4636
• Black Dog Institute
• Resources to support healthcare workers’ mental health (anxiety, stress & wellbeing)
• headspace
• Self-guided meditation app to teach meditation and mindfulness skills to help people stress less, focus more and sleep better
• Lifeline
• Information to support mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak or call 13 11 14

Resources to help support your children and adolescents

• Black Dog Institute
• Resources to reassure child (school children and young people) about the unknown
• Emerging minds
• Resources to support children (suitable for children 0-18 yrs) during the outbreak
• eSafety Commissioner
• An online safety kit for parents and carers (including tips to help kids stay safe online)
• Kids Helpline
• Resources for parents to deal with family stress, helping children (up to 25 years old) on relevant concerns
• NSW Department of Education
• Latest update on COVID-19 (coronavirus) in relation to schools
• Latest advice for families
• Resources to help parents and carers to support children learning from home
• Raising Children Network
• Information for parents about COVID-19 and children (0-18 yrs) in Australia
• Tips on talking with teenagers (12-18 yrs) about physical distancing and self-isolation
• The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
• Strategies and resources to help manage adolescents and parental anxiety

Parenting resources

• Parentline
• Support from qualified counsellors to help parents navigate challenging parenting situations
• UNICEF
• Experts tips for parents dealing with COVID-19 parenting challenges
• World Health Organisation (WHO)
• Parenting posters to help parents interact constructively with their children in the time of COVID-19

Document information

Developed by

Youth Health and Wellbeing, Health and Social Policy Branch

Consultation

NSW Youth Health Coordinators group

Endorsed by

Dr Nigel Lyons, Deputy Secretary, Health System Strategy and Planning

Reviewed by

• Paediatrics and Youth Community of Practice
• Prof Rachel Skinner, Senior Clinical Advisor Youth Health and Wellbeing

For use by

Public, young people, parents/carers, LHDs/SHNs, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Paediatric and Youth Community of Practice webpage