Hot Topics-Resources
Throughout a student's time in high school, one might be faced with a variety of issues or concerns. Or maybe you are just curious about a certain topic. Click below on the links to learn more about these topics.
Iowa Department of Public Health Resource: Drugs, Alcohol, Mental Health, Suicide
Substance Abuse
Marijuana use effects educational outcomes
Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center
Iowa's resource for substance abuse and mental health information, brochures, and links to local resources.
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Heath (NIH), created this Web site to educate teens on the science behind drug abuse. The site delivers science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body so that kids will be armed with better information to make healthy decisions. Learn important information on the site through animated illustrations, quizzes, and games!
Anabolic Steroid Abuse
Find out about illegal steroid use among teens, the different risks associated with steroid use for both men and women, and connect to research about steroid use and abuse.
Club Drugs
This site provides information about drugs commonly found at raves, trances, clubs and bars. Learn about how these drugs affect behavior and the brain, and find the most current trends and statistics for club drug use.
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Information for Students http://www.drugabuse.gov/students.html
Research information on the affects of drugs on the brain, interactive activities, and links to work on drug abuse being done by other agencies affiliated with the National Institutes of Health.
Partnership for a Drug Free America
Stories and information about all kinds of substance abuse, from ecstasy to household products, plus links to the latest anti-drug commercials comprise this anti-drug site. The site also provides extensive information about the effects of all types of drugs, and offers advice about talking to friends about drugs.
What's Driving You?
http://www.whatsdrivingyou.org/
This site offers information about alcohol, DUI, drinking and driving, and ways to think about behaviors associated with drinking. It features an interactive role-play "virtual party", advice, articles, state laws, and links to further information.
Sexual Health
Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body
Features 1,247 engravings from the classic 1918 publication, as well as a subject index with 13,000 entries. Users may search, browse through the table of contents, or browse through an alphabetical list of topics.
TeenWire
This site has sexuality and relationship info from Planned Parenthood Federation of America and has tons of useful information for teens and their parents. In addition to interactive links, hot topic headlines, and information about teens and sex, the site has movies, games, and trivia!
I Wanna Know
This site, sponsored by the American Social Health Association, provides answers to questions about sex and sexually transmitted diseases. Special features include sex ed games, a detailed glossary, and live chat "Ask the Expert".
Out Youth http://www.outyouth.org/
Out Youth is a non-profit organization providing services to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth ages 12 - 19 in Austin and central Texas. They offer peer support groups, counseling, educational programs, social activities and community outreach. Check out the website to find out about local special events and programs, resources, and a scrapbook of OY events.
Scarleteen http://www.scarleteen.com/
This comprehensive site's mission is to provide nonjudgmental information on teen sexuality for teens who are sexually active as well as those who choose abstinence. It is absolutely packed with information, featuring sections on self-image, sexuality, reproduction and dating. There are also sections that are specifically geared toward guys and girls and their unique issues as well as a section for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered teens.
Teen AIDS http://www.teenaids.org/
Information about what AIDS is and how to avoid it, stories and advice for teens by teens, and Q&A sections make this an important site. Find out about the Teen AIDS Peer Corps, an organization that supports open conversation among teens about HIV/AIDS. The Foreign AIDS pages provide information in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, and other languages.
Teens Health http://kidshealth.org/teen/
Get answers and advice about food and fitness, sexual health, relationships, safety, and drugs and alcohol. This site features articles about diversity and tolerance, fears and phobias, drugs, and orthodontia—and enables users to link to additional articles about the same topic. This site is also available en español.
Teen Health
TeenHealthFX
TeenHealthFX.com is your online resource for any and all questions regarding your health, your relationships, your body and your sexuality. The site is crazy informative! There is also a section of the site maintained entirely by a Teen Advisory Committee. The site is funded and maintained by the Atlantic Health System out of New Jersey.
MedLine Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teenhealth.html
Medline Plus is a searchable database provided by the National Institutes of Health. While not a super flashy site, there is information on just about any disease or condition you can think of. The site is updated regularly and is a great resource if you're looking for information about a particular problem.
BrainPop: Health http://www.brainpop.com/health/
Tons—literally!—of cool animated movies about your body and your health. Everything you need to know about your organs, changes in your body, diseases that might affect you, and taking good care of yourself. And the animation is really neat, too.
Discovery Health: Teen Center http://health.discovery.com/centers/teen/teen.html
This site from the Discovery Channel provides tips and information for teens regarding their health. Articles cover topics such as puberty, relationships, and mental health; in addition, there is a message board where users can post questions and see what others are discussing. (Registration to post messages is free.)
TeensHealth http://kidshealth.org/teen/
Created for teens looking for honest, accurate information and advice about health, relationships, and growing up. They provide straight-forward information that is easy to navigate, including topics such as food/fitness, sexual health, diseases/conditions, and infections. The site is maintained by the Nemours Foundation.
Nutrition/Fitness
The President's Challenge
Jump rope, play catch, race a friend, and more! Win awards for staying active, and track your progress along with kids across America.
Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Find information about body image and eating disorders; referrals to doctors, therapists and support groups; educational curriculum, books and videos; and ways to help by volunteering and advocating.
Something Fishy http://www.something-fishy.org/
Something Fishy is a 'pro recovery' website devoted to the idea that eating disorders are not about food and weight, they are symptoms of deeper issues. It provides chats with other readers and motivational chats with professionals, a treatment finder, exploration of cultural issues that may affect eating disorders, and stories from those affected by a loved one's eating disorder—as well as the more traditional resources for those suffering from eating disorders. The site is available in both Spanish and French.
Mental Health
Mindyourmind.ca http://www.mindyourmind.ca/
An innovative internet resource for youth who are looking for credible, up-to-date information on mental health and creative stress management. Information is posted about getting help for yourself or for your friends, along with checklists to figure out what kind of help is needed. They have a very cool and interactive website with tons of info!
Teenline Online http://www.teenlineonline.org/
Teenline is a place to go when you need help, support or advice. This site features the Teenline 800 number where you can reach other teens and get support for issues like family life, sexuality, addictions, abuse, self-destructive and life threatening behaviors. The site also features a message board for online support.
Internet/Cell Phone Safety
Safe Surfing Tips for Teens
http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/internet_safety.html
Check out this article and more about safe internet surfing.
Cell Phone Safety Article
http://www.cellphonesafety.org/safer/teens.htm
Written with intended audience of parents in mind, but good info for youth too.
Cyberbullying
Yik Yak can be traced!
Driving
Teen Driving Tips
Welcome to Teendriving.com, a site full of tips to help new drivers.
Persons with Disabilities
Kids' Quest on Disability and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/kids/index.html
Learn the answers to some of your questions about kids with disabilities, including ADHD, Autism, FASD, hearing loss, mobility impairments, Tourettes Syndrome, vision impairments and more.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Asperger's Syndrome
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551
Mayo Clinic's Definition of Asperger's Syndrome and links to resources.
Suicide
Youth Suicide Prevention Education Program
This site was put together by a mother whose teen son committed suicide. It provides numerous facts about suicide and resources such as a suicide risk questionnaire and suggestions for coping with the suicide of a loved one.
To Write Love on Her Arms
A site started from a friend of a girl who constantly cut herself. Now, its a Nationally recognized organization doing good work to prevent suicides.
Violence
Choose Respect http://www.cdc.gov/chooserespect/
Choose Respect is a new initiative from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The site has information about dating abuse prevention and healthy relationships for teens and parents. There is a lot of information on this way cool website. Be sure to check out the game—you get to make your very own music video!
CDC Division of Violence Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/dvp.htm
This site from the Centers for Disease Control addresses violence as a public health issue. They provide information and resources related to youth violence, partner and sexual violence, suicide, and child maltreatment.
Safe Youth http://www.safeyouth.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
Safe Youth is the website of the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center. It contains information about teen violence against others and teen suicide, identifies youth at risk, and discusses ways to intervene. The teen section is an area where readers can share stories, ask questions and find out what other teens are doing to prevent violence.
Warning Signs http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38
The American Psychological Association has produced this site to promote anger management and nonviolent problem solving among teens. It addresses reasons for violence, how to deal with someone who is violent and ways to manage your own potential for violence—including violence against yourself.
Just for Girls
4 Girls Health http://www.4girls.gov/
Launched by the Office on Women's Health, this site motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors. It provides information about puberty, nutrition, exercise, substance abuse, and relational issues. A link is provided to a site especially for girls with disabilities and chronic illness: http://www.4girls.gov/disability/.
iEmily
iEmily is a health and wellness site just for girls. Learn about sex and your body, explore alternative exercise like yoga and tai chi, find out about healthy eating choices and chat about it all with other girls. Special features include games like The Feng Shui Way, and videos like Yoga 101.
Girls Health
Girlshealth.gov focuses on health topics that girls are concerned about and provides reliable, useful information on the health issues they will face as they grow older.
Just for Guys
Young Men's Health
http://www.youngmenshealthsite.org/
Health tips for young men around the world.
Misc.
It's My Life http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/friends/
It's My Life deals with (you guessed it!) life and the stuff that we deal with every day. You can read informative articles, share your stories, play games, take quizzes and polls, watch video clips of other kids talking about their feelings and experiences, get advice from older kids and experts, and contribute your own comments and questions.