A Guide to Rough Times

From the developers’ perspectiveBy Janet Hassall

Review Decisions• Is the site at

www.cpft.nhs.uk/GTRT/young-people.htm ready and adequate to go live with a redirection from the old site URL?

• Should it remain as part of the CPFT site?• Should we segment the ages within it?• Should it retain its present form?• How do we get more user involvement?• What is the marketing plan?

Background to GTRT

• The original main text for the Guide was collated & written by Pam Timbrell & funded by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust before 2007. Local variations were supported by the Ormiston Trust, Parents First and Hunts.Mind

• The original leaflet was then developed into a web site at www.guidetoroughtimes.co.uk and a separate steering group took over responsibility.

Recent Background

• In 2011 it became clear that the Guide needed updating and CPFT was happy to take back the task of maintaining the site and creating a more contemporary and extensive version including multi-media and social media links.

• Work on this started in spring 2012 alongside the development of a new web site for CPFT generally.

Design Approach• To include and update the original information as

appropriate• To retain the graphical identity of the original guide as

far as possible• To make it more attractive to young people by

including multi-media and social links• To extend the topics covered• To make it as rich as possible a source of information

about the topics addressed• To make the information more accessible through

methods such as tagging and personalisation

Some pages from the GTRT leaflet

Samples from the GTRT old website

Examples of GTRT graphics

GTRT graphics imported to new site

Examples of media

And examples of social media links

Who is GTRT aimed at?

• The original leaflets were aimed at teenagers, their parents, carers, friends and family

• The new site is currently aimed primarily at teenagers but others may find it useful, and we hope to extend the site for others audiences

Some of the other sites we looked at

Design Philosophy

• Non judgmental, straight talking information with a touch of humour now and again

• No-holds barred subjects• Encourage self-help and decision making• Linking information internally throughout to

offer related topics• Drawing together as many external sources as

possible both national and especially local

Some local services

SHAC - Sexual Health Advice Centre

Options Pregnancy Advisory Centre Peterborough

The A C I D Process- logical steps for self help

• A - being aware that there is a problem or something wrong• C - becoming concerned about it• I - investigating it and finding out more about what it is and what can be done about it• D - deciding what action to take, if any.  

Examples of inspiring sites we found

Should we segment by age within teens?

For• A typical 13 year old is very different from a typical 18

year old in terms of mental, physical and emotional development

• Under 16s have a different legal status Against• Different children mature at different rates and it is not

clear when a particular child will need specific information

• Under 16s may not be influenced by their legal status• Childline, for example, do not segment by age

Under-age teens needing help• 15 years old and pregnant with twins

This 15 year old thought that she had just put on a bit of extra weight but she has found out she is pregnant with twins.I had unprotected sex with a guy who was older than me This 13 year old girl had unprotected sex with an older guy, and is now late for her period. Care Confidential, Teenage pregnancy stories

• Children aged 12 being treated for drink problems in London (London Evening Standard, 06 Sept 2012)

• I was born a girl etc though since the age of 9 or 10 years old now 16 I have been a Tom boy/ Tom girl . Basically I feel trapped in the wrong body I feel like and want to be a boy , Misscrazy2990 02 November 2012 at 04:59 on Childline Message board

• last tuesday i found out that my mate charlie comited suicide i havent had much time to take it in but i feel so angry and i didnt no why he did it but all i know is that he is in a better place x

SHRUBBERS 26 Oct 2012 11:26 Winston’s Wish message board

List of topics

• Is there something wrong with me?• Life is not worth living• Worried about someone else?• Being disabled or ill• Looking after someone else• Boys don't cry?• It's different for girls• Sexual health, pregnancy• Sexual identity - straight, gay, not sure?• Being unsafe or in danger• Being abused• Domestic violence and abuse• Rape and sexual assault• Bullying• Bad habits and addictions• Alcohol and drinking• Smoking• Drugs and substance abuse• Gambling• Eating disorders

• Self-harm• Being a bully• Gangs• Criminal behaviour• Someone close has died• Other circumstances• Left home or run away• Where you live• Parents arguing, separating or divorcing• In care• Discrimination• Family background• In education• Problems with work• Money troubles• On the wrong side of the law• Feeling lonely or isolated• Bored or want more out of life?• Want to be useful?

A fruitless search…..

• You are here : HELP! • Home> Search results • Translate

• Print • Email• Search results

• Search results :

• No results for that search criteria

Cover your tracks

How and where to get online

Online and mobile safety

Isn’t it all a bit negative?

• It’s meant to be about rough times• It offers advice for ways to prevent or

minimise rough times • It encourages concern for others• It promotes the need for taking care of mental

and physical health • It also deals with getting more out of life

Some causes of rough times

Things which might be difficult to bring up

Boys don't cry? It's just not true, and being silent isn't being strong.                           

BULLYING  Self harm Pregnancy and abortion

What is an STI and how can you tell if you have one

Confused about your sexual identityBeing abused Eating disorders RAPE

Alcohol                 Being a bully GamblingLife is not worth living

Examples of new site images

Get more to life

• Youth clubs and fun stuff

• Achieve your potential• Give something back• Boost your self esteem• Feel better in your

body• Relax and recharge

Future Target Audience

• Younger children (pre-teens)• Young adults over 18• Parents and other concerned adults• Teachers and educators

Content will be adapted and extended appropriately for these different audiences.

Where is it going from here?

• 30,000 senior school pupils will get a card telling them about it

• The potential for use within schools • The potential for user involvement in

participation and development• The future creation of separate GTRT for

parents etc. and its adaptation for younger children and young adults.

Should it be on a mental health web site?

For• All the issues addressed are relevant to mental

health and well-being• To separate it out perpetuates stigma against

mental health Against• The target audience may be reluctant to visit a

mental health web-site because of stigma• Separate branding may make it more attractive

and memorable

How can we keep this up?

• Continued funding • Regular maintenance including review of

external links and content • Regular identification and inclusion of new

material• Improved targeting at specific user needs • Maintaining a high public profile for the site

Why should it matter?

• It has unique and valuable features • It adds to what is already out there• We believe our target audience

needs it• Because we care