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Giving Young People The Headsup on Dealing With Exam Stress - Headsup Text Service
Provides Support During Exam Time
Rehab's text support service, Headsup, which is supported
by Meteor, is calling on young people to reach out for help if they
are struggling to cope with the pressure of exams. Exam time can be
a stressful one for many young people, particularly those preparing
to sit the Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations. Headsup wants
to remind young people that support is available when they need it
most, through its confidential and free 24-hour text support service
where they can access a range of helplines and support services. By
simply texting the word "Headsup" to 50424, young people can receive
information on a range of topics, including teen issues, alcohol, suicide,
drugs, relationships and mental health.
Headsup was launched in August 2007 and has received over
13,000 text messages from over 4,000 people to date.
Teen issues is the topic on which users have most frequently sought
information, accounting
for 16% of requests, followed by mental health at 13%.
Sexual health matters and suicide each account for 11% of all texts
received.
At the touch of a button, the service can be accessed
free of charge by all mobile phone users on all networks.
Through Headsup,
young people can obtain contact numbers for organisations
that will provide practical advice to their problems.
The Samaritans, AL Anon,
Aware, Women's Aid, Childline, the Money Advice and
Budgeting Service and Bodywhys, are among the many support services
featured
on Headsup.
The service is quick and easy to use, giving the user
an immediate response to a wide range of problems.
"Many young people find it hard to cope with the pressure
of exams and are often left feeling alone, unable to talk to family
or friends about what they are going through. Headsup offers them the
support they need through this difficult time," according to Angela
Kerins, Chief Executive of Rehab.
"There has been a phenomenal uptake of the Headsup service
so far and we expect a significant number of enquiries during the next
few weeks as young people struggle to deal with exam-related stress.
This service was designed with young people in mind and the high usage
late at night is an indicator that there is a specific need for a 24-hour
service and that Headsup is there for them when they need it most,"
said Ms Kerins.
Amanda Carroll, Meteor's Head of PR & Communications said "We are in the business of communication, therefore, we
recognise the enormous popularity of text messaging as a communications
tool. It's quick, easy, and straightforward, therefore, we would encourage
all students to save the number on their mobile just in case they ever
need it in the future," she added.
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