Teens' & Young Adults' Health

Mood swings. Peer pressure. Body image issues. Your teen faces a lot of challenges. And as a parent, you face them too. Help your teen make smart, healthy decisions.

Index
Depression and anxiety | Driving safety | Sexuality, drugs and alcohol | College health
Screenings and immunizations

Depression and anxiety

While most teenagers manage to cope with their growing pains, some have a harder time. And sometimes this can lead to depression.

It's important to recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of depression, which may include:

• Refusal to go to school, frequent absences, bad grades or reduced interest in school activities
• Changes or difficulty in relationships with friends and family
• Social isolation
• A negative attitude, irritability or anger
• Overt behavior problems, such as aggression or fighting
• Sexual activity or use of alcohol or drugs

If you suspect your child is suffering from depression, consider seeking help from a doctor or counselor right away. Talk with them about different treatment options for your teen. And remember to keep the lines of communication open. Encourage your child to express worries and concerns often, and be available to talk.

Driving safety

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths in America. Make sure you talk to your teen about the importance of safe driving. Consider establishing some guidelines for your kids to follow when they're behind the wheel.

Consider the following safe driving tips for teens:

• Keep passengers to a minimum. The more friends your teen is driving around, the more likely they'll distract your young driver.
• No teen passengers at night. The chances your teen will get into an accident increases with each additional teen passenger. Plus, teen crash rates spike at night.
• No driving when tired or fatigued. If your teen works or is out late, offer to pick them up instead. Lack of sleep can affect their driving skills.
• Require seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is not only an important safety precaution, it's also the law in most states.
• No texting or talking on the phone. Better yet, just tell your teens (and their friends) to turn off their cell phones in the car. If they need to make a call, ask them to pull over and park in a safe place.
• Let your teen be your chauffeur. The best way to ensure safe driving is to observe and correct bad habits.

To make sure your teen follows these guidelines and more, consider signing a parent-teen driving agreement. Check with your car insurance company or a driving club for a free downloadable contract.

Sexuality, drugs and alcohol

These are important subjects to talk to your teen about, especially if you suspect he or she is involved in risky behavior. That said, it's not an easy thing to do.

If you're having trouble getting the conversation started, consider the following:

• Be direct and honest. Let your teen know where you stand. Also, make sure he or she knows the realities, responsibilities and consequences that come with sexual activity or drug and alcohol use.
• Don't shy away. If a movie or a TV show refers to sex, drugs or alcohol, don't change the subject. Use it as a starting point to talk with your teen.
• Ask about their friends. Learn what sorts of behaviors their friends are up to. Help your kids figure out ways to handle peer pressure appropriately.
• Don't get angry. If your child does something you disagree with, it's easy to get upset. Instead, try to outline your concern in a calm, rational manner.
• Avoid getting defensive. Your teen may blame you for his or her behavioral choices. Don't take it personally – it's just a way for your teen to vent frustration.
• Criticize the behavior, not the person. If your teen (or a friend) behaves inappropriately, make it clear that it's the activity – and not him or her personally – that you disapprove of.

Above all, keep the lines of communication open. If you make them common topics in your house, your teen is more likely to talk to you about the pressures they face with sex, drugs and alcohol.

College health

When your teen leaves for college, he or she will typically have to adjust to new friends, a new environment and new pressures. Make sure you keep your lines of communication open.

Consider talking to your teen about these tips for staying healthy in college.

• Get plenty of sleep. Busy college students tend to put sleep low on their priority list. But rest will help your teen concentrate and do well in school.
• Eat healthy food on a regular schedule. Skipping meals, eating late and eating junk food contribute to weight gain and improper nutrition.
• Drink lots of water. It will keep your college kid hydrated. Plus, if they drink water instead of soda, it'll help keep them slim and trim.
• Don't binge drink. Excessive drinking at college parties is dangerous to your teen's health and safety.
• Walk or bike to class. It might be hard to fit in a regular exercise routine, so walking or biking around campus is a great way to stay fit.
• Get a flu shot. Many colleges offer free or discounted flu shots.
• Release stress. Encourage your teen to set aside time to relax, especially during stressful finals week.
• Tend to mental health. Help your teen seek help from campus counseling services. Many college students suffer from depression, eating disorders, addiction or homesickness.
• Practice safe sex. If your teen is sexually active, remind them to use a condom every time. Talk to your teen about the potential physical and emotional dangers of casual sex.

Screenings and immunizations

See a chart with recommended screenings and immunizations for teens and young adults.