May is National Adolescent Health Month. The teen years are a time of fast-paced growth and change. It is a time of growing independence, trying new experiences, and testing independence. This month highlights the importance of supporting teens as they grow.
Teens make decisions every day. Some are simple, and others are life changing. Often, teens are not given the skills to navigate healthy decisions.
Parents, guardians, grandparents, and adult members of the community can help teens by:
• Actively listening to what the teen is saying
• Repeating your understanding of what is said
• Asking the teen what they think are the next steps
• Offering your ideas
• Asking the teen how you might be of help
Teen relationships can be healthy and fulfilling. Healthy relationships can help teens become their best selves. Teens also face pressure and difficult choices in relationships. Information from peers and the internet may not be the most accurate.
Unhealthy relationships can create risk. Even healthy teen relationships come with some risks. Teen pregnancy contributes to high school dropout rates. Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection, is most common in those 24 years of age and younger.
CCHHS offers a resource for parents of teens called “Families Talking Together.” The program seeks to prevent and/or reduce sexual risk behavior in preteens and adolescents by building parent-adolescent relationships and working with parents/guardians to learn and develop:
• Methods for building relationships with teens
• Effective communication skills
• Successful monitoring strategies
• How to teach assertiveness and refusal skills
To learn more, or to schedule two sessions of approximately 60-90 minutes, contact our adolescent health educator at 775-283-7438. CCHHS can also help teens afford and access a yearly medical checkup, as well as birth control. Teens can ask questions and receive education about healthy relationships.
Youth-friendly services also include health screenings for things like high blood pressure, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, depression, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Same-day or next-day appointments can be made by calling 775-887-2195.
It is normal for adolescents to experience emotional distress as they develop and mature. Teens experiencing short periods of anxiety about school is common. Adults can watch for signs like a fall in school performance, regular refusal to go to school or take part in activities, frequent physical complaints, and/or marked changes in sleeping and/or eating habits.
If these signs persist, it may be time to seek professional assistance. School nurses, as well as healthcare providers, can be a resource for finding mental health services. Nevada 2-1-1 is also an online resource for Nevada. www.nevada211.org/mental-health-services.
Certain factors are important to maintain youth mental health. Protective factors include:
• Supportive family relationships with clear expectations, encouragement, and limits
• Adult mentors in the community
• Connections with peers, athletics, employment, religion, or culture
• Regular physical activity
• Involvement in school and community activities
• Youth identified goals and dreams
For additional resources and information about Carson City Health and Human Services programs and services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org, follow us on Twitter @CCHealthEd, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cchhs, follow us on Instagram @gethealthycarsoncity, call us at 775-887-2190, or visit us at 900 E. Long St., in Carson City.