·
Know the signs of mental illness. These include:
o
anxiety
o
depression
o
excessive tiredness
o
loss of self-esteem
o
loss of interest in things you
used to like
o
loss of appetite
o
weight gain or loss
o
out-of-character personality
changes
·
Pay attention to your moods and
feelings. Don’t assume your negative thoughts or
feelings are just part of being a teenager. If you’re worried about something,
ask for help.
·
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
if you need it. If you can’t talk to your
parents, talk to a favorite teacher or counselor at school. Find an adult you
can trust. If you’re feeling really sad or are thinking about harming yourself,
get help right away.
·
Accept yourself. If you feel like you have low self-esteem or a poor body image,
talk to someone about it. Even just talking to a friend can help.
·
Don’t bully other people. And if you are being bullied, tell a parent, teacher, or other
adult. This includes being bullied online or on your phone.
Behavioral health: Taking care of your safety
through your behaviors
·
Avoid substance use or abuse. This includes alcohol, street drugs, other people’s prescription
drugs, and any type of tobacco product.
·
Drive safely. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in U.S.
teenagers. Always use your seat belt. Avoid riding in a car full of other
teenagers. This can distract the driver and make an accident more likely. Never
get in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
·
Wear protective headgear. Wear a helmet when you are riding a bike or participating in
sports to prevent concussions. Concussions at a young age can have lifelong
negative effects on your health.
·
Avoid violence. Stay away from situations where violence or fighting may cause you
to be physically injured.
What might my health consultant do if I go see him
or her?
The health consultant might do any of the following to help you stay
healthy:
·
Determine your risk for certain
health problems.
·
Measure your height, weight,
and blood pressure.
·
Give advice about healthy
lifestyle choices, like diet and activity.
Provide immunizations (shots or vaccines) to reduce your risk of getting
diseases. These could include meningitis, tetanus,
or HPV.
Things to
Consider
Will the habits I have now really make a difference
when I’m older?
Yes; 65% of all deaths in adults are caused
by heart disease, cancer, and stroke. In many cases,
these diseases are preventable. Many of the behaviors that cause these diseases
begin at a young age. For example, teens who use tobacco are more likely to
have heart disease, cancer, or stroke in adulthood.
At my age, what should I especially be concerned
about?
The top killers of teenagers and young adults are car accidents,
unintentional injury, homicide, and suicide. Cancer and heart disease are
uncommon for teenagers, but can affect you at this age. Unplanned pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections can harm your health. They can also cause you
social and personal problems.
Do young men have different health risks than young
women?
Yes. Young men don’t wear seat belts as often as young women do. They’re
also more likely to carry weapons, get into physical fights, use smokeless
tobacco or marijuana, drink alcohol heavily, and have more sexual
partners. On the other hand, young women have some special risks. They try to
commit suicide more often. They also try to lose weight in harmful ways more
often than young men.
Should I talk to my health consultant if I’m
worried about my health or my body?
Yes. It’s important to talk to your health consultant if you have any
concerns about your health or your body. Your health consultant is there to
help you.
Questions
to Ask Your Health Consultant
·
What steps can I take to stay
healthy?
·
Am I at risk for any illnesses or
diseases?
·
I’m worried about a specific part
of my life. What should I do?
I can’t talk to my
parents or teachers about my problems. Who can I talk to?
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