Identity development is a key aspect of adolescence. Young people are particularly conscious of their personal identities and changes to their identities. Dimensions of identity include race, gender, family, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and faith. In the process of developing their identities, young people may begin questioning values, setting personal goals, and experimenting with various…
Summer is in full swing, and with summer comes messaging about appearance and being “beach body” ready. For young people and adults alike, this kind of messaging can be harmful and lead to unhealthy body image. Body image is a person’s “thoughts, perceptions, and attitudes about their physical appearance.”1 Healthy body image is seeing your body…
Summer is a time for many young people to take a break from the stress of school, enjoy their increased freedom, and have some fun. More free time and less adult supervision can make summertime particularly exciting for young people, and it’s important to encourage them to have fun during the school break. Unfortunately, the…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this month especially, it’s important to recognize that conversations about mental health are for everyone, not just those diagnosed with mental illness. Everyone experiences mental health challenges, including young people. It may not be easy to tell when a young person in your life has been impacted with…
As technology continues to grow and change, it becomes more critical for caring adults to understand how to keep young people safe in the digital landscape. Talking about texting safety is essential to reducing young people’s exposure to online risks, like cyberbullying, sexting, harassment, and substance use. Young people can access direct messaging and texting…
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and the perfect time to start or continue the conversation about underage drinking with the young people in your life. Rates of underage drinking have been declining in the past decades. Despite this decline, alcohol remains one of the most used substances among youth. In 2019, the Centers for Disease…
March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). The day is dedicated to celebrating the lives, contributions, and accomplishments of transgender and nonbinary people while drawing attention to the discrimination the trans community faces. 1 Transgender and nonbinary youth are at an increased risk for suicide and substance use compared to their cisgender peers….
What are opioids? Opioids are a class of drugs used to relieve pain. This class of drugs includes fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioids. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone. In addition to relieving pain, opioids can also create a sense of euphoria, which likely contributes to opioid misuse and…
The internet can be a great tool for young people. It can provide a way to keep in touch with friends, relax, do schoolwork, find support for mental health problems, and express themselves. Because young people are online so much of the time, they need to know how to use the internet safely, behave respectfully…
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen dating violence includes physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, harassment, or stalking of an adolescent within the context of a past or present romantic relationship. One in three teens will experience teen dating violence before they become adults.1 Teen dating violence is a risk factor for substance use,…
