Issues facing Teenagers
We hope that you will be able to come and talk to the doctors at Cwmfelin if you need to but we realise that this can be hard and hope that some of this information may be of help to you.
General Websites for Teenagers
http://www.teenissues.co.uk/ covers lots of different topics and is easy to use.
They have a Facebook page for updates and forums if you have any questions. There is a load of information on friendships, relationships, difficulties with your parents and siblings and just general family life.
http://www.teenissues.co.uk/FamilyLifeCategory.html
www.meiccymru.org/ is a fantastic new source for children and teens aged 0-25 yrs old. It is a free and confidential and gives support and advice on any topic from relationships to bullying.
www.cliconline.co.uk is a very cool website with lots of local information and advice. It has information on health, education, advice about drugs and alcohol as well as having lots of information on events in the area for 11-25 year olds.
1. Sex
It is important to know what you are doing when you make a decision to have sex. This needs to be a decision that both people are happy to take. There are many risks – it is not all about getting pregnant as some people think. We do have a very high teenage pregnancy rate in this country but also we have many more teenagers catching STD (sexually transmitted infections) You need to understand about how to protect yourself from getting infections and getting pregnant. Talk to a friend, relative, older sibling, aunty, nurse or doctor if you want to find out more. Never feel pressurised into sex.
Contraception
This can be a really confusing topic. Contraception is a term to describe different ways of stopping getting pregnant. This link will give you all the information and you can come and speak with a doctor or go to Central Clinic any morning.
STD
STD are common and preventable.
Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for "sexually transmitted infections") are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn't matter if they're rich or poor.
Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because teens are more at risk for getting some STDs, it's important to learn what you can do to protect yourself.
STDs are more than just an embarrassment. They're a serious health problem. If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS).
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an infection that can be passed from person to person when having sex. You can get an STI by having vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. There are several different types of STI.
This link gives you information about some common STI's and what to expect when you attend a GUM clinic:
www.patient.co.uk/health/Sexually-Transmitted-Infections.htm
This gives information on all the common STI's:
www.fpa.org.uk/Helpandadvice/SexuallytransmittedinfectionsSTIs
Singleton Hospital
GUM Clinic - Sexual Health Clinic
Sketty Lane
Sketty
Swansea
Wales, SA2 8QA
Phone: 01792 285015 (Direct line)
Opening times:
Monday: 8.30am - 5pm
Tuesday: 8.00am - 5pm
Wednesday: 8.30am - 6pm
Thursday: 8.30am - 5pm
Friday: 8.30am - 1pm
WALK-IN available Monday to Friday from 8.15am as a first come first served bases until 11am.
Pregnancy
Click here you all you need to know about pregnancy and what to do if you find out you are pregnant.
2. Alcohol and Drugs
Dabbling in alcohol and drugs may seem harmless enough during your teenage years, but the truth is that both are seriously bad for your health. As a teen, your body is still growing and developing and introducing harmful materials can have long lasting consequences. No one is saying that one drink will necessarily kill you, but one drink, or puff, or hit, can lead to many more and that is when problems take hold.
http://www.teenissues.co.uk/AlcoholAndDrugs.html
http://www.alcoholandfamilies.org.uk/index.htm this is a website for children/teenagers who are living with parents with alcohol problems
http://www.drinkingandyou.com/site/uk/what.htm this website gives advice as to how much is safe to drink.
http://www.swanseadrugsproject.org.uk –for drugs and alcohol.
Monday – Thursday 1-4pm.
27 Mansel Street, opposite Swansea Drug Project Building. Tel: 01792 472002
http://www.swanseadrugsproject.org.uk/sand_pit.asp This is a resource specifically for Under 18’s and they offer a drop in centre on Monday – Thursday 1-4pm.
27 Mansel Street, opposite Swansea Drug Project Building. Tel: 01792 472002.
3. Bullying
Nearly everyone is bullied at some time in their lives: by brothers and sisters, by neighbours, by adults or by other children. If you are being bullied, you may feel scared, vulnerable and quite alone but you owe it to yourself to try and sort out the situation so that the the bullying stops. Remember, no-one deserves to be bullied. This website will give you loads of information.
http://www.kidscape.org.uk/childrenteens/index.asp
Cyberbullying
This is on the increase and we encourage everyone to stay safe while on line. These website might help with some tips.
https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/the-ultimate-parent-guide-for-child-internet/
https://www.wizcase.com/blog/a-comprehensive-cyberbullying-guide-for-parents/
3. Smoking
There is a lot of peer pressure to smoke and take drugs. These are very harmful to your health… so. JUST SAY NO..
WHY…..?
Stained fingers. Bad breath. Sore throat. Hacking cough. Noxious clothes. Need more reasons to avoid smoking? How about lung cancer, weak bones, stomach ulcers and dry, wrinkled skin?
http://www.teenissues.co.uk/StraightFactsOnSmoking.html
6. Eating Disorders
http://www.b-eat.co.uk/Home This is a fantastic website with lots of information and help for anyone with eating disorders.
beat Helpline 0845 634 1414
help@b-eat.co.uk
beat Youthline 0845 634 7650
fyp@b-eat.co.uk
Opening Hours
7. Self Harming
This website gives out general information about what help is available for people who self harm.
http://www.teenissues.co.uk/SelfHarmingCategory.html
8. Bereavement
There are several websites dedicated to helping children/teens who have lost a parent.
http://www.riprap.org.uk/ specialises in helping children whose parents are suffering or have died from cancer.
http://www.rd4u.org.uk/ is a website offered by Cruse for children who have lost a parent.
http://www.childbereavement.org.uk/for_young_people is another resource funded by a charity giving help and advice.