Young people (13-19)

Young people can feel sad and worried about life events but with depression, the feelings of sadness go on for weeks or months and affect everyday life.

Recognising that your child has a mental health problem and seeking professional support are important first steps to take.

Teenagers may turn to friends rather than parents for support in times of trauma and distress.

A teenager may be deeply upset by a traumatic event, but not share their feelings with their parents.

All suicide threats are serious. You don't have to be a trained professional to help a person contemplating suicide.

Dyslexia is a type of specific learning difficulty (SLD) in which the person has difficulties with language and words.

Growing pains may cause a lot of pain but they are harmless and can respond to simple treatments.

The end of a growth spurt may trigger a drop in appetite, so don't immediately assume that your child is trying to lose weight.

Babies and young children do not usually grow in a perfectly smooth way, but instead grow in 'bursts'.

Adjusting to the many changes that happen around puberty can be difficult for both parents and young people.

Sleep research suggests that teenagers need between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night.

Young people can feel sad and worried about life events but with depression, the feelings of sadness go on for weeks or months and affect everyday life.

Eating disorders are on the increase in children and young people. Identifying the signs and seeking early treatment is the best way to begin the journey to recovery.

Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems.

Recognising that your child has a mental health problem and seeking professional support are important first steps to take.

Home tattooing, or getting tattoos overseas, puts you at risk of serious complications that can be debilitating and life-long.

Everyone's immunisation needs are different and are influenced by your health, lifestyle, age and occupation.

Don't advertise a party via SMS or the internet to limit the risk of gate-crashers and violent situations.

Every year, Year 12 students head to schoolies (leavers) to celebrate the end of school life. Includes alcohol and drug safety, tips, how to prepare, what to pack and what to do in an emergency.

Too many children are physically, sexually and emotionally abused and when this happens, it is up to adults to speak up.

Some immunisations are recommended for all Australian teenagers.

Children and young people may find it difficult to open up about their problems. These tips can help you to find someone to talk to about your feelings and worries.

Young people have to work through a broad range of issues as they move from childhood to adulthood.

Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.

Acne is common and can make people of all ages feel embarrassed, but treatments can help if acne is causing distress.

Asthma affects about one in 10 teenagers in Australia.

Many parents worry when their child with diabetes starts or returns to school.

Eating disorders are a mental illness and can affect people of all gender, ages, cultures and body sizes.

Glandular fever is most common among high school and university students, but young children can also become infected by saliva on toys, shared cups, or the hands of carers.

Once children are overweight, it takes a lot of effort for them to return to a healthy weight.

A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, overexercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

People who skip breakfast may lack sufficient vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B2.

If you eat and enjoy fruit and vegetables every day, your child may eventually follow your lead.

Eating disorders are on the increase in children and young people. Identifying the signs and seeking early treatment is the best way to begin the journey to recovery.

Simple ways to make a child's school lunch healthier and nutritious.

About iron and iron deficiency - symptoms, stages, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, who is at risk, daily intake, food sources and supplements.

It is helpful to imagine assertiveness as the middle ground between aggression and passivity.

Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Although traditionally thought of as a women's health concern, body image issues can affect men and people of all ages and genders.

The urge to diet or engage in other behaviours to change your size, shape or weight is almost always prompted by feeling dissatisfied with your body.

Give your child opportunities to appreciate their body for what it can do, rather than what it looks like.

A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, overexercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

Parents can help with bullying by supporting their child and involving the authorities to find solutions.

Young people can feel sad and worried about life events but with depression, the feelings of sadness go on for weeks or months and affect everyday life.

It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time and occasional conflict is part of family life.

Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems.

Recognising that your child has a mental health problem and seeking professional support are important first steps to take.

Boys’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes. As you get older and go through puberty, you will become more aware of your body and how it compares with others.

Puberty is a time when your body goes through lots of changes. For girls, puberty usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13, and lasts a few years.

Partying is fun but being out of it on alcohol or drugs can put you at risk of unwanted or unsafe sex

Peer groups can be a very positive influence on your teenager's life.

If you want to have your body pierced, choose an experienced, registered practitioner to reduce the risks of infection and scarring.

It is normal to have mixed feelings about having sex with someone else.

Having friends and other social connections is good for your health and wellbeing.

How parents and carers can talk to children about relationships, sex and sexuality. Includes - how and when to start, topics at different ages and stages, teenage sex, school safety and support.

If you want to get a tattoo, choose an experienced, registered practitioner to reduce the risks of infection and scarring.

Good sexual and reproductive health is central to women's ability to make choices and decisions about their lives, including when, or whether, to consider having children.

Physical activity is an important part of health and wellbeing, and girls should remain active as they grow up.

Make sure that some family outings offer opportunities for physical activity, such as playing sport together.

A sports injury may be more severe than you think.

A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, overexercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

Body mass index or BMI is an approximate measure of your total body fat.

Babies and young children do not usually grow in a perfectly smooth way, but instead grow in 'bursts'.

Once children are overweight, it takes a lot of effort for them to return to a healthy weight.

If your child is overweight, you can help by making healthier lifestyle choices for yourself.

With a balanced eating plan, it's what you leave in that makes all the difference.

Supporting a student with a chronic illness requires a 'whole school' approach.

Every year, Year 12 students head to schoolies (leavers) to celebrate the end of school life. Includes alcohol and drug safety, tips, how to prepare, what to pack and what to do in an emergency.

Information about medication abortion (also known as medical abortion or the 'abortion pill') - includes how medication works, appointments, what to expect, side effects, possible risks, self-care.

Bisexuality is when a person finds men and women physically, sexually or emotionally attractive.

There is no real explanation as to why some men are gay and others are not; it is just part of the wide variety of human sexuality.

Many women report they have lesbian experiences or feelings, but do not think of themselves as lesbians.

Sexuality is not about whom we have sex with, or how often we have it. Sexuality is about our sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people. We can find other people physically, sexually or emotionally attractive, and all those things are a part of our sexuality.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmissible infection that is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

Oral sex is using your mouth, lips or tongue to stimulate your partner’s genitals or anus. Includes consent, risks, STIs, reducing risk, avoiding oral sex and where to get help.

Partying is fun but being out of it on alcohol or drugs can put you at risk of unwanted or unsafe sex

Information about unplanned pregnancy including pregnancy options (such as medical and surgical abortion, adoption, foster and kinship care), pregnancy counselling and where to get help.

It is normal to have mixed feelings about having sex with someone else.

Sexuality is not about whom we have sex with, or how often we have it. Sexuality is about our sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people. We can find other people physically, sexually or emotionally attractive, and all those things are a part of our sexuality.

How parents and carers can talk to children about relationships, sex and sexuality. Includes - how and when to start, topics at different ages and stages, teenage sex, school safety and support.

The menstrual cycle is complex and is controlled by many different glands and the hormones that these glands produce.

Your gender is what feels natural to you, even if it is different from your biological sex. Some people may not feel comfortable with their biological sex but choose to live with the gender with which they were born.

This page explores both the gendered and biological aspects of women’s sexuality and sexual pleasure.

Good sexual and reproductive health is central to women's ability to make choices and decisions about their lives, including when, or whether, to consider having children.

Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.

Sexual health month brings the community together to highlight the importance of getting regular sexual health checks, STI testing and preventing illness through safer sex.

In Australia, alcohol is the most used drug, and contributes to all the leading causes of death for young people.

Learn all about alcohol - includes standard drink size, health risks and effects, how to keep track of your drinking, binge drinking, how long it takes to leave the body, tips to lower intake.

Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies can all cause damage if an overdose is taken.

Teenagers use drugs for similar reasons that adults do.

Don't advertise a party via SMS or the internet to limit the risk of gate-crashers and violent situations.

Every year, Year 12 students head to schoolies (leavers) to celebrate the end of school life. Includes alcohol and drug safety, tips, how to prepare, what to pack and what to do in an emergency.

Pill testing helps people make safer choices by showing them what’s really in their drugs. Pill testing gives people a safe space to ask questions and get help without judgment.

If you want to quit smoking, think about how much of your weekly income is going up in smoke.

You are a role model for your child - what at you do can influence your child, including if you quit smoking or vaping.

All children are eventually exposed to drugs ‒ prescription medication, alcohol and tobacco, and sometimes illegal drugs too ‒ or to messages about drugs.

If you are worried about your alcohol or drug use or, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 for counselling, information and referral, or speak with your local doctor.

Young people can feel sad and worried about life events but with depression, the feelings of sadness go on for weeks or months and affect everyday life.

FReeZA supports young Victorians to get involved in community life through planning and staging drug, alcohol and smoke-free music and cultural events for other young people in their local community.

The end of a growth spurt may trigger a drop in appetite, so don't immediately assume that your child is trying to lose weight.

Recognising that your child has a mental health problem and seeking professional support are important first steps to take.

Everyone's immunisation needs are different and are influenced by your health, lifestyle, age and occupation.

Partying can be fun, but you need to be aware of the risks, which can include accidents, robbery, violence and sexual assault.

Adjusting to the many changes that happen around puberty can be difficult for both parents and young people.

Children and young people may find it difficult to open up about their problems. These tips can help you to find someone to talk to about your feelings and worries.

Young people have to work through a broad range of issues as they move from childhood to adulthood.

Accept that your adolescent may have a different view of the world and respect their opinions.

Even though you are caring for someone else, it is important that you remember to take care of yourself.

There are many subsidised and free medical, dental, mental, community health services available to support young people in Victoria.