A new website providing teenagers with confidential access to information and advice on health-related issues is proving a runaway success. Elaine Keogh reports

An innovative interactive website providing information on all aspects of health that was launched just four months ago may be copied by health boards across the State.

www.youthhealthne.ie was launched at Christmas and was designed only after the North Eastern Health Board engaged in extensive consultation with young people.

The result is not only an informative site on health topics directly relevant to the teenagers but also an important means of directing information at the youngsters and offering them help with any serious problems they may have.

The Cootehill Resource Centre, Co Cavan, works with 13- to 19-year-olds and they were one of a number of groups of youngsters from the counties of Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and Meath asked to contribute to the research for the website.

"Using the website makes getting information a lot easier. You don't have to talk to someone, it is less embarrassing and there is no pressure because you can go into it whenever you want," says 15-year-old Damien McDermott.

Kia Ross, also 15, agrees that the website has made it easier to access information and to educate herself.

A popular and important part of the site is a confidential "traffic-light" system which allows specific questions to be asked and flagged with a red, amber or green light by the questioner. This indicates if an urgent reply is needed.

"We get a lot of queries about drugs and alcohol as well as sexual health. There have also been queries, mainly from girls, about nutrition," says health promotion officer Monica McCrory.

"We have had feedback and there are changes we will make as a result. An example is to include information on first aid for drug-related problems e.g. what to do in an emergency before an ambulance arrives," she says.

"We have had queries such as: 'I could be pregnant and what can I do?' as well as questions from boys about puberty and development," says Liz-Ann McKevitt of Cootehill Resource Centre.

The true sign that the site has been a success is the response from the teenagers in Cootehill. "If there was no website I wouldn't go and talk to anyone. The language it uses is relevant to young people, we can understand it, and after looking at the site you can decide then if you want to talk to your GP," says Conor McDermott (19).

"The entire health team contributes to the information on the site. For example, if there is a mental-health query, we will consult health board staff working in that area," says McCrory.

The reluctance of young people to approach either professionals or family or friends when faced with a crisis is well documented and the brutal need for such a confidential service is highlighted by the team behind the site. "If a girl had access to information through such a website even at school or her local library, it might just help her," says youth worker Jennifer McCarney.