Health offer support after teen inquest

Friday 28 November 2014

The Health department has reminded young people that help is available to support those suffering and struggling with grief after an inquest into the death of a teenager was held yesterday.

Limited details are being given out, but the inquest concerns a teenager who died tragically in 2013. A serious case review - a type of report commissioned in the wake of serious failings by the Health and Social Services departments - has been requested but the author of that report said that while the draft had been shared with the teenager's family, the full report should not be published.

But Mrs Glenys Jonston OBE said that some part of the report would be released.

Jersey’s Health and Social Services department has issued a statement to remind anyone struggling that there are different forms of help available to help.

A spokesman for the department said: “Our first thoughts and heart-felt condolences are with the family of the young person at this very difficult time.

“We are aware that it may also be a difficult time for other young people and families who may need help and would like to highlight that information on emotional and mental health, ways of improving it and how to recognise possible problems is available.

“Young people need to keep talking with their friends and family; parents need to keep talking with each other, with their children and with their friends and wider family. The websites at www.gov.je and www.yes.je provide information about the services that are available.

“For more serious or acute problems, help is provided by GP surgeries or the Emergency Department of the General Hospital.”