Teenage Health

Teenagers and Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in Australia. According to recent surveys, around 40 per cent of young people aged 12-17 have had a full serve of alcohol and around 60 per cent of year 10-12 students have drunk alcohol at least once.

For young people, alcohol use is associated with a range of health risks, including:

unsafe sex
unwanted sex
unintended pregnancy
drink-driving and road accidents
violence and aggressive behaviour
criminal activity.

Teenagers and Body Image

Young people are at risk of developing a negative body image, where they dislike the way they look.

The related health problems for young people can include:

crash dieting and malnourishment
eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia nervosa
obesity
steroid use (to build muscle mass).

Teenagers and Bullying

Estimates suggest around one in six children are bullied every few weeks or more in Australia.

Young people are bullied by their peers for many reasons, including:

the way they look (for example, if they are overweight)
resisting pressure to conform
their cultural or socioeconomic background or religion
their academic achievements
their sexual orientation or behaviour
being ‘the new kid’ at school.

Teenagers and Smoking

Despite widespread media campaigns, tobacco smoking is still popular among young people in Australia, especially young women, though the number of young people who smoke cigarettes is decreasing.

Smoking tobacco increases people’s risk of:

cancers of the lung, throat and mouth
reduced lung function
asthma and other respiratory problems
damaged senses of smell and taste
heart disease, major heart attack and stroke.

Teenagers and Family life

Young people can face issues relating to family life, including:

relationship problems between family members
family violence
abuse, including neglect and physical, sexual or emotional abuse
separation and divorce.

For some young people, a change in family circumstances can be positive. For example, if there has been a lot of conflict in a family, separation may be a better option.

Teenagers and Illicit Drugs

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is an illicit drug commonly used by young people. Around 17 per cent of year 10-12 students and around 14 per cent of 14-19 year olds have used cannabis at least once. Other commonly used illicit drugs include hallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy, with very small percentages of 12 to 17 year olds having used one of these at least once.

It is often assumed that young people turn to illicit drugs to ease depression or anxiety, but most try drugs simply for fun. Young men are more likely than young women to experiment with illicit drugs. Those who smoke tobacco and drink alcohol are also more likely to try illicit drugs than those who do not.

Teenagers and Media

Media, including print, television, film and online, can negatively affect young people in many ways, including:

exposing them to extreme violence, which can desensitise them to reality
supporting the cultural ideal that only thin is beautiful, which promotes body image problems
reinforcing the importance of money, consumerism and status symbols.

Teenagers and Suicide

After car accidents, suicide is the most common cause of death among young people in Australia. Research shows more young women than young men attempt suicide, but young men are far more likely to take their own lives.

In the past 10 years, the suicide rate for males aged 15 to 24 years has dropped considerably. However, young men living in rural and remote areas are more likely than those living in the city to take their own lives.

Teenagers and Sexual Relationships

Young people need access to comprehensive, factual information about sexuality to safely negotiate adult relationships.

The issues young people may be confronted with include:

safer sex
contraception
sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
unplanned pregnancy
peer pressure
cultural definitions of gender roles and sexual orientation.

Teenagers and Pregnancy

South Australian figures show around three per cent of young women aged 15 to 19 years became pregnant in 2011. Of these, around 50 per cent had an abortion.

Pregnancy can be a positive time for a young woman, but she may be confronted with issues such as:

emotional distress
isolation or a lack of understanding and support from family and friends
complications during pregnancy and birth
financial pressures.

Where to Get Help

Your doctor
Kids Help Line Tel. 1800 55 1800
The Royal Children’s Hospital Young People’s Health Service Tel. (03) 9611 2409
Community health centre
Women’s health centre
Family Planning Victoria Tel. (03) 9257 0100 or freecall 1800 013 952
Family Planning Victoria’s Action Centre (for people aged under 25) Tel. (03) 9660 4700 or freecall 1800 013 952
Gay and Lesbian Switchboard Tel. (03) 9663 2939 (Melbourne) 1800 184 527 (Regional Victoria and Tasmania)
Safe Schools Coalition Victoria Tel. (03) 9479 8738

Young Adults' Health

Worried About Your Health?

Check your symptoms for advice

Depression in Teenagers and Young Adults

Black Dog Institute

Information about depression in teenagers and young adults including signs and symptoms and where to get help

Young Adults’ Health

Healthdirect

Learn about health topics relevant to young adults, such as stress, alcohol and drugs, sexual health and work-life-balance.

Youth Cancer Service

What is cancer? What is chemotherapy? Will my hair fall out?

With cancer comes so many questions. No-one has all the answers but this website is a good place to start. You can find out about different types of cancers, test, treatments, ways to cope with cancer and much much more.

Everything on the website has been written in consultation with professionals who have experience working with young people who have cancer. Plus young people themselves help them with all their info….so you know it’s good!

Check out the website by clicking here.

Teenage Health

Teenagers and Alcohol

Teenagers and Body Image

Teenagers and Bullying

Teenagers and Smoking

Teenagers and Family life

Teenagers and Illicit Drugs

Teenagers and Media

Teenagers and Suicide

Teenagers and Sexual Relationships

Teenagers and Pregnancy

Where to Get Help

Young Adults' Health

Worried About Your Health?

Depression in Teenagers and Young Adults

Young Adults’ Health

Worried about your health?

Kids Helpline

Youth Cancer Service

Teenage Health

Teenagers and Alcohol

Teenagers and Body Image

Teenagers and Bullying

Teenagers and Smoking

Teenagers and Family life

Teenagers and Illicit Drugs

Teenagers and Media

Teenagers and Suicide

Teenagers and Sexual Relationships

Teenagers and Pregnancy

Where to Get Help

Young Adults' Health

Sex and Other Health Issues

Drugs and alcohol

Glandular fever

Hangover Cures

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Warning Signs of Suicide

What is Addiction?

Workplace Health

Worried About Your Health?

Depression in Teenagers and Young Adults

Young Adults’ Health

Worried about your health?

Kids Helpline

Youth Cancer Service