Parents of High School Students

[ICAN!]

I have to do a presentation to a group of high school students and it will probably be in a health class. What would you want your teenage daughter or son to hear about that would be beneficial to their health and well being? I'm a mom also and I was thinking along the line of STD's or teenage pregnancy but, as high school students, they have probably heard all about this already. All suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks!

[rachelgeorgina]

Mental health issues: depression, anxiety, eating disorders and more "serious" diagnoses such as bipolar disorder and psychosis. According to www.teendepression.org 10-15% of teenagers experience symptoms of depression at anyone time. & it is even more likely that if these kids don't experience it themselves, someone they know will. It could be a good opportunity to educate and evoke empathy regarding mental illness in a largely uneducated population (re: teens have little accurate information on the subject.)

[Rednights]

Whatever you do ... you have to either ... a. Make it entertaining / humorous b. Scare tactics to scar them for life Anything in between and you're just an obstacle between lunch time or the mall on Friday night

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I like the idea mentioned about the texting/driving thing...my nieces/nephews are the "tween" age group, so I am trying to think in terms of what scares me for them as they come in to their teenage years, and that is one of them!

I also agree that STDs/unplanned pregnancy/unprotected sex may have been done to death, but you hear a lot in the news these days about "sex games" at parties....rainbow, etc. Do they hear enough about the risks of things like oral sex, and how chlamydia, etc, can infect the mouth/throat? I don't know what's being taught in "today's" sex ed classes. I understand too, though, about how schools may not allow explicit content, so that may not work.

Prescription drug abuse is a bigger and bigger issue these days, kids thinking that because they are "legal" drugs, they are safe. Since cases like these have been in the news (ie, Heath Ledger), it could be an idea. To not only talk about the effects of the drug abuse but also about how hard it is to get OFF the drugs (withdrawal symptoms, etc) might be a spin they haven't heard yet, and a sobering reality. Just a thought.

Good luck!

[ICAN!]

Thank you all so much! So many good ideas and I appreciate it. If anyone else has any please keep them coming. I don't know yet the date for presentation but will find out soon. I am really liking the texting while driving thing to because I know my kids do that. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!