Health+Topics+for+Teens

Health & Exercise
Athlete’s Advisor—Nutrition and conditioning information for the student-athlete.

Nutrition on the Web—A site created especially for teens with information about your nutritional and fitness needs. There are interactive sections where you can learn about your RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances) or chat with other teens on the site. There are English, Spanish, and German versions of this site.

Shape up America!—Assess your current fitness level and find out what else you can do to stay fit and healthy.

TeenGrowth.com—Created by a team of teens, doctors, and teachers who are "committed to improving the lives of adolescents." Topics include body, emotions, health, friends, sports, danger, school, family, and sex.

Mysistahs.org: Young Women of Color—This site has information and advice for young women of color, including African-American, Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American girls.

C. Everett Coop Institute Chronic Illness Resources for Teens—A place to share stories written by teens with chronic illness. Also includes extensive resources to help you learn about different chronic illnesses.

Epilepsy.com: Information for Teens—This site has information on epilepsy for teenagers, information on support groups, a community forum, and personal stories from teens with epilepsy.

TeenAIDS.org—Learn about the problem of the spread of AIDS in teenagers. This site, prepared by a Harvard Researcher, offers teens the chance to ask about AIDS and other issues. You can find information about avoiding AIDS, including information on risks associatied with tattoos or body piercing. One purpose of the site is to assist teens and their communities to become part of PeerCorps, groups of teenagers that can help each other learn about AIDS. Note that the "Dr. John" on this site is NOT a medical doctor, but a doctor of education. This site has a long list of hotlines that teens can call.

Teens Living with Cancer—Besides information on different types of cancer and their treatments, this site has useful sections on living and dealing with cancer and how it affects your body, relationships, and emotions. There is also a section for family and friends and a discussion forum.

Drugs
Alateen—"Alateen is part of Al-Anon, which helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. Alateen is our recovery program for young people. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members."

Alcoholics Anonymous—Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is an organization dedicated to the recovery of addiction to alcohol. This site contains a list of questions to help you determine if you have a problem with alcohol, as well as information on where to contact an AA office near you. Information also includes traditions and beliefs of AA, its twelve-step program, and many of its policies.

Best of the Web: Drugs—An extensive listing of online resources for those wanting information about substance abuse, support groups and treatment options.

Check Yourself—The site allows visitors to "look in the mirror" by answering quiz questions about their lifestyle, reading first-person stories, communicating with other teens, and playing decision games to see how they might act in situations involving drugs and alcohol. CheckYourself.com also gives teens a voice by allowing them to share their own "moments of truth".

Facts on Tap—Facts on Tap: Alcohol and Your College Experience is described as a "comprehensive alcohol and other drug education, prevention, and intervention program for college students." This website includes information on drugs, alcohol and the body, alcohol and sex, alcohol and commuter students, and the ways in which substance abuse affect college students.

Above the Influence—This website "offers drug education and prevention information vetted by the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), message boards, games, and celebrity news. The 'Lowdown' section of this Web site provides an extensive database of information on particular drugs. The goal of Freevibe is to provide positive peer reinforcement and highlight the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle."

Make Smoking History—"A campaign to stop smoking. Read memorials, the ideas tobacco companies use to target teens to smoke, and explore links that can help you quit."

Just One Night—"Tom had a few drinks with friends, then a few more with strangers. When the evening was done, one life had ended, another was shattered. All, in just one night." Read this true story, find out about drinking and driving, alcohol and the law, and being a friend to someone who has been drinking.

Marijuana: Facts for Teens

Mind Over Matter—Magazine series exploring the brain's response to drugs. Covers marijuana, opiates, inhalants, hallucinogens, methamphetamine, nicotine, stimulants and steroids.

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition Web Site—Inhalants are psychologically and physically addicting and can kill you any time you use them. This web site provides information about inhalant use and how to get help.

Partnership for a Drug Free America: Kids and Teens—"A prevention guide for kids and teens to help them avoid substance abuse and deal with peer pressure to experiment with illegal drugs. In-depth information on how to say no to drugs, how to help friends with drug abuse problems, and facts about the short and long-term effects of drugs and other substances."

Smokefree.gov—This site has an informative online guide to quitting and the option to chat live with a National Cancer Institute representative about smoking.

Teen-Anon—"Help for Teens Who Drink or Drug And All Those Who Love Them!"

Sex & Sexuality
Smarter Sex

It's Your (Sex) Life—Tells you what you need to help you in an emergency, how to prevent pregnancy, and how to talk to your partner about protection. This is a very helpful site.

Option Online—Users of this website can find a center in many U.S. locations and they can also talk to someone by e-mail about pregnancy.

Out Proud! The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth—Resources for teens and educators including information about brochures, books, and other web sites.

Advocates for Youth—"Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health."

StayTeen.org—A site produced jointly by MTV and The National Campaign to prevent teen pregnancy.

TeenHealth—"We're a safe, private place for teens who need honest, accurate information and advice about health, emotions, and life. TeensHealth is accessible 24 hours a day so you can get the doctor-approved information you need to make educated decisions — or help a friend who needs advice.

Suicide
All About Suicide—Mental Health Nets mini-site on suicide with lots of help and information. Sections include Symtpoms, Treatment, Research, Online Resources, Organizations, and Online Support.

If You Are Thinking About Suicide…Read This First—"If you are feeling suicidal now, please stop long enough to read this. It will only take about five minutes. I do not want to talk you out of your bad feelings. I am not a therapist or other mental health professional - only someone who knows what it is like to be in pain."

Possible Warning Signs—Here is a list of possible warning signs to help you recognize depression and possible suicide risk.

SA/VE Suicide Awareness, Voices of Education—Started by five people who had lost loved ones to suicide, this site is devoted to information and awareness about depression. It is particularly geared to people who are suffering from depression.

Samaritans—The Samaritans is a non-religious charity organization. Their mission is to offer emotional support to anyone who is feeling suicidal, and their motto is "Whatever you're going through, we'll go through it with you." They are based in the United Kingdom, but they will answer email from anyone, anywhere. The free and confidential service is available at: jo@befrienders.org

Teen Line Online—Teen Line provides professional help with your concerns of violence, alcohol, drug and/or sexual abuse, depression, and any other teen risk issues.

What can I do to help someone who may be suicidal?—Here are nine ways to help a suicidal person, and includes suicide warning signs.

YellowRibbon.org—This site has information about warning signs of people considering suicide and resources to help prevent suicide. It also links to a page which tells you how to set up a Yellow Ribbon Card program in your community, to help kids and teens who are depressed and might be considering suicide.

Stress
Are Teenaged Girls More Stressed Than Boys?—Find out about the relationship between hormones and stress levels in this article from ScienCentral.

Controlling Anger Before it Controls You—Learn how to identify why you are angry and different strategies to deal with it effectively. Assertiveness training is described. This site is from the American Psychological Association.

Dealing with Anger—You'll find honest and sensitive information on anxiety, anger, depression, and many other mental issues that can get a teen down. This site is sponsored by the Nemours Association.

The Medical Basis of Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Problems and Drug Abuse—This is a light-hearted look at a serious subject. Relief from stress might start here! Evaluate yourself on the stress scale and listen to the song.

Money
Independent Means—Independent Means is "the leading provider of products and services for girls' financial independence. We are your first stop for news on starting a business; making, saving, and growing money; figuring out how to use money to make a better world (aka philanthropy!); and networking with mentors." This site used to be named "An Income of Her Own."

Choose to Save—Here are interactive savings calculators that will help you see how easy it can be to reach your goals by saving.

Learn2 Balance Your Checkbook—"Let's get those growing piles of bank statements under control."

Learn2 Establish a Personal Budget—The word "budget" doesn't have to be a dirty word.

Reality Check—Brought to you by Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, this test lets you "imagine how you want to live once you're on your own." Once you've finished the test, you will learn "what it takes to live the life you want and what you'll need to do to get you there." "Think you're ready for the challenge?"

Tax Information for Students—Questions about anything related to federal government taxes and tax issues? Check out this IRS list of links including "Where's My Refund?" and "Taxable Income for Students". You can link to the online FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application here too.

Test Your Money Smarts—Take this interactive quiz and learn about compounding interest, stocks, bonds, as well as other financial principles.

Body Image & Eating Disorders
About-Face—"About-Face's mission is to equip women and girls with tools to understand and resist harmful media messages that affect self-esteem and body image."

Ask the Dietitian: Anorexia—Organized in a question and answer format, this article covers many aspects of anorexia, including recommendations for dealing with friends who have this disorder.

Body Postive: Boosting Body Image at Any Weight—"BodyPositive looks at ways we can feel good in the bodies we have." This site offers resources for accepting your body at whatever weight you are.

Dying to be Thin—This companion site to the film "Dying to be Thin" includes information on minority women and eating disorders, personal stories, resources, and frequently asked questions answered by an experienced psychologist.

Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center—"We are dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. Edreferral.com provides information and treatment resources for all forms of eating disorders. Our goal is to provide assistance, in the form of information and resources, to those suffering with eating disorders to get them started on the road to recovery and healthy living. If you or someone you care about is affected by an eating disorder, it is important to seek help! Our site is full of information and we want to help!"

Mirror Mirror—This is an extensive site with many essays about different issues related to eating disorders, from self-injury to handling holidays to the ways eating disorders can strike specific groups of people: men, older women, teenagers, children. Very well done site, very informative.

Eating Disorders in a Disordered World—"This site combines textual narratives with powerful visual imagery to convey both the personal experience and the cultural pervasiveness of eating disorders. It provides a place for people to interactively incorporate their own stories about eating disorders, and includes a resource guide."

Homeplate: Your Homeplate for Healthy Eating—Here you will find information on healthy eating and on eating disorders, including a resource list with relavant books, films, and organizations, and an advice section with recovery tips for eating disorder sufferers and their friends and families.

Amplify Your Invoice—Providing information about healthy body image and eating disorders involving African-American, Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American girls, this page of the more general Mysistahs.org website is specific to these issues.

National Eating Disorders Association—National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), the biggest U.S. non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, has a site offering information on how to recognize and how to get treatment for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder as well as advice to people with body image and weight issues.

Something Fishy's Eating Disorder Site—This site focuses primarily on anorexia and bulimia, though it also includes some information on compulsive overeating and binge eating disorder. Includes signs and symptoms, what you can do, sources of online support, physical dangers, words from survivors, and treatment options, among other information.

Violence & Abuse
The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FUND)—"The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FUND) is a national non-profit organization that focuses on domestic violence education, prevention and public policy reform. The central mission of the FUND is to stem the epidemic of violence in our homes."

Cyber Tip Line—Provides a place for people to submit information on online sexual predators to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation.

Shattered Love, Broken Lives—This is a series of 60 articles from the New Bedford, MA newspaper, the New-Standard, about domestic violence. Some articles are about teenagers who have been in abusive relationships.

Date Rape / Acquaintance Rape—Answers the question "What is Acquaintance Rape?". Also provides a list of useful precautions, discusses the myths about acquaintance rape, as well as ways to resist acquaintance rape.

RAINN: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network—RAINN "operates America's only national hotline for survivors of sexual assault. The hotline 1-800.656.HOPE offers free, confidential counseling and support 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the country." Visit their site to learn more.

Specific Drugs Used in Sexual Assault—Educate yourself about Rohypnol, G.H.B., Ketamine and Ecstacy. Awareness is your best defense!

Political & Social Activism
Young Democrats of America

The Young Republican National Federation

Global Youth Action Network—"GYAN works to facilitate youth participation and intergenerational partnership in global decision-making; support collaboration among diverse youth organizations; and to provide tools, resources, and recognition for positive youth action."

Peacefire: Youth Alliance Against Net Censorship—Peacefire is a site that promotes Internet anti-censorship efforts by people 18 and under. The site provides information about current censorship attempts and what canbe done to prevent such attempts from succeeding. You can also read a FAQ, search a Cyber Rights and Digital Liberties Encyclopedia, and join Peacefire.

ACLU: Student Rights—From the American Civil Liberties Union. This site contains news about court cases in the U.S. affecting the rights of students.

Poverty & Hunger
The Hunger Site—Wondering what you can do to help end world hunger? Visit this site, click on the button that says "Donate Free Food" and the page sponsors donate money to the United Nations World Food Programme.

Kids Can Make a Difference–This site has many facts about hunger around the world, and suggestions about what young people can do to help feed the hungry.

Environment
Appalachian Mountain Club—Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest conservation and recreation organization. Our 72,000 members actively enjoy, appreciate, and protect the mountains, rivers, and trails of America's Northeast.

Earth Force—"Earth Force is a national, nonprofit organization. We are youth-driven and nonpartisan. Our vision is to build the most effective program to help young people, ages 10-14, improve the environment through developing citizenship skills and addressing real environmental issues in their communities and nationally."

Greenpeace—They're more than just anti-whale-hunting boats! "Greenpeace is an independent, campaigning organization which uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems, and to force the solutions which are essential to a green and peaceful future."

National Wildlife Federation—Check out the status of wolves and the Everglades from the people whose mission is to "educate, inspire and assist individuals and organizations of diverse cultures to conserve wildlife and other natural resources and to protect the Earth's environment in order to achieve a peaceful, equitable and sustainable future."

Natural Resources Defense Council—"NRDC uses law, science, and the support of more than 400,000 members nationwide to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things."

Rainforest Action Network

Scorecard—Put in your zipcode and find out who the biggest polluters are in your area. Also, "Scorecard lets you send faxes—for free—straight to the top-ranked polluters in your area or send email to key state and federal decision makers. We provide a directory of environmental organizations in your area and link you directly to volunteer opportunities with groups working on your issues."

Sierra Club—"Our mission statement: Explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; Practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; Educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; Use all lawful means to carry out these objectives."