As a parent it can be hard to speak openly with your teenager about any concerns for their health and wellbeing, but this is often the best way you can support them.
Healthy Eating - During the teenage years eating disorders can easily go unnoticed especially when life is busy. Try to take note of what they eat and if they are missing meals regularly, losing weight, over exercising and being secretive with food. If you notice there is a problem try and talk to them. Help is available from your doctor or some specialist organisations.
The Mend Programme (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition – Do it!) is part of a national initiative offering free healthy lifestyle courses for 7 to 13 year olds that are above a healthy weight and their families in more than 250 locations across the UK. MEND in North Somerset run various projects across the region.
Smoking and alcohol - If you smoke it is more likely your child will smoke. Most young people will want to try alcohol. Try to get them to do this in a controlled environment.
Drugs - Young people who can talk openly with their parents are less likely to try drugs than those without this relationship, and they will wait until they are older before deciding whether to experiment with drugs. If you have any concerns there are many support groups and organisations who you can turn to for advice.
Sex and relationships - A quarter of teenagers feel confused, worried and scared that they don’t have the right information at a time when their friends are starting to think and talk about sex. Help your teen to know fact from fiction. It's important to talk about sex with your teenagers. Although tricky, these conversations help young people to make safe decisions and to feel confident enough to talk to future partners about sex, relationships and contraception. Teenagers can also access 'No Worries' clinics across
Immunisations - Between the ages of 13 and 18 your child will be offered an immunisation booster, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. To protect against cervical cancer, girls aged 12–13 will be offered the HPV vaccine.
Sports and leisure activities - The Young Person's Key (YPK) aims to provide young people aged from 11 to 19 with an opportunity to experience many sporting, social and leisure activities at very affordable prices. You can also search our online directory for details of what is happening in your area, or why not have a look on the PLINGS website (Places to go things to do).