The SHANARRI Healthy indicator recognises that wellbeing is about more than physical health. It includes mental health, emotional resilience and the support young people need to make safe, informed choices about their lives.
For professionals across Scotland’s care and education sectors, Healthy is one of the most complex indicators to assess. It requires a holistic understanding of each young person’s experiences, environment and access to support.
A Holistic View of Health
Within SHANARRI, Healthy covers both physical and mental wellbeing. This includes:
- Access to healthcare and appropriate services
- Emotional wellbeing and mental health support
- Lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep and activity
- The ability to make safe and healthy choices
These elements are interconnected. A change in one area can often influence others, making it important to consider health as part of a wider picture of wellbeing.
Mental Health in Scotland’s Young People
Mental health is a growing concern across Scotland. Increasing demand for services and rising levels of anxiety, depression and emotional distress are placing pressure on professionals working with children and young people.
For those in residential care, the challenges can be even greater. Many young people have experienced trauma, disruption or instability, which can impact both mental and physical wellbeing.
This makes early identification and consistent monitoring essential.
The Role of Schools and Care Teams
Schools and care settings play a key role in supporting health and wellbeing. Staff are often the first to notice changes in behaviour, mood or physical health.
This may include:
- Changes in sleep patterns or energy levels
- Signs of anxiety or withdrawal
- Difficulties engaging in activities or learning
- Physical health concerns or ongoing conditions
By linking these observations to the Healthy indicator, professionals can build a clearer understanding of what support may be needed.
The Importance of Consistent Recording
One of the biggest challenges in supporting wellbeing is ensuring that information is recorded consistently. When observations are spread across multiple systems or recorded in different formats, it becomes difficult to identify patterns.
Geco Connect helps address this by organising health-related observations within the SHANARRI framework. This allows teams to track changes over time, share information across services and respond more effectively to emerging concerns.
Supporting Long-Term Wellbeing
Healthy is not just about responding to immediate concerns. It is about supporting long-term wellbeing and helping young people develop the skills and resilience they need for the future.
This includes:
- Building positive routines and habits
- Supporting emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Ensuring access to appropriate services
- Encouraging independence and informed decision-making
When health is understood in this broader context, professionals are better able to provide meaningful support.
See SHANARRI in Practice
If you would like to see how organisations are strengthening wellbeing monitoring and supporting better health outcomes through SHANARRI, Geco Connect can help.
Book a demo to see how it works in practice.