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Health

If you are unwell or are concerned about your health see your doctor or call NHS Direct (24 hour confidential health advice and information) on 0845 4647.  Don’t ignore symptoms that make you feel miserable or unwell.

Your Connexions Personal Adviser is also there to help you to make contact with the people or agencies who can advise you on specific health issues.  You can also check the links on this website or contact Connexions Direct on 0800 080 13 2 19.

This section is divided into a number of categories. To go directly to your area of interest, click on one of the options below;


Keeping fit and eating well

As long as most of your food is fresh and healthy, fast food, takeaways, sweets and biscuits are OK now and again. 

Exercise helps to keep you healthy, improves your mood and helps you cope with stress.

For more information visit:

For general information about a whole range of health related issues, check out these websites:


Eating disorders

Two eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are common in both men and women.

Symptoms/effects are:
Anorexia Nervosa: drastic weight loss, thinking you’re fat; over-exercising; socially isolated; always cold; can’t sleep; moody; wanting to be perfect

Bulimia Nervosa: overeating followed by vomiting; going to the toilet to be sick after meals; tooth decay and sore throats; bad skin; mood swings; feeling socially isolated; tired and helpless.

If you think you, or a friend, may be suffering from either of these conditions call the Eating Disorders Association Youth Helpline on 0845 634 7650 or visit www.b-eat.co.uk


Mental health

Looking after your mind is just as important as looking after your body.  Stress, depression and anxiety about exams, work, college, relationships and peer pressure can all affect your mental health.

Talking about your feelings – to a parent, friend or relative or your Connexions Personal Adviser – can really help as they are likely to have been through similar experiences.

More serious mental health problems include self-harm, addictions, eating disorders, dementia, schizophrenia, severe depression and feeling suicidal.  If you or someone you know is suffering from any of these symptoms there are people who you can talk to confidentially.  Seek help as soon as possible so that you can get your life back on track – if you are worried about stress, feeling low or your mental health you should visit your GP.


Safe sex and contraception

Having sex is a big step, has important health consequences and if you’re under 16, is against the law.

If you are having sex, or are considering it, it is important that you are aware of the facts and how to stay safe.

Safe sex will protect you from pregnancy, contacting the HIV/AIDS virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. Remember, safe sex is a responsibility for both of you, young men and young women alike!

Barrier methods (e.g. condoms) guard against unwanted pregnancy and protect against HIV and other infections.

Other methods (e.g. the pill) guard against unwanted pregnancy but offer no protection against disease or infection.

Before you become sexually active, talk to your GP, Practice Nurse or Family Planning Clinic who can help with advice and free condoms.  GPs and clinics will respect your right to confidentiality.

 

If you have had unprotected sex, go to your doctor, family planning clinic or chemist as soon as possible and within three days for emergency contraception advice.

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK. It affects both sexes, although young women are more at risk. Chlamydia can be treated, but it often has no symptoms in either men or women, so remains undetected. Infection may only be diagnosed once Chlamydia has led to complications - when treatment can sometimes be too late to stop permanent damage, including future infertility. A free screening service is available for young people in Surrey, visit www.surreycscreen.nhs.uk for details.


Unplanned pregnancy

If you miss a period, it could be a sign that you are pregnant.  Ask your GP or Family Planning Clinic to do a test – if you are pregnant, they can advise you on what to do next.  If you have a miscarriage, tell your GP or Family Planning Clinic.


Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ).

Perhaps you are questioning your sexuality and are looking for information to help you. Have a look at Outzone where girls can find Girl Diva, a weekly magazine for lesbian and bi-sexual young women, and boys can find Outzone support.

Coming to terms with being gay, lesbian or bisexual is a confusing time for most. Suddenly finding yourself having strong feelings (sexual or otherwise) for people of your own sex (or both sexes!) can be hard to deal with. The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard aims to offer support, initial advice and referral throughout the UK. Extensive links to other useful sites too. 

Twister Youth Clubs for LGBTQ Young People aged 13-19 - visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/twister for more details and contact numbers

  • Monday Nights – Twister Guildford
  • Wednesday Nights - Twister Redhill
  • Thursday Nights - Twister Spelthorne

Gay Youth South East (www.gyse.co.uk) is a local chat forum for LGBTQ young people by LGBTQ young people. This is a safe and moderated space for young people to talk about lifestyles and issues relating to sexuality as well as for finding out Twister Youth Club details and news. Two other sites worth checking out are Avert, an HIV/Aids charity website with very informative Gay/Lesbian and Young People’s sections and Stonewall the well known national civil rights organisation, fighting for gay, lesbian and bisexual equality.

Gay Surrey (www.gaysurrey.org/) is a local charity providing information for the whole LGBTQ Community. Local Youth Services are advertised here as well as local events, information, news and fundraising.

Outline is another local charity running a helpline for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Surrey. The helpline is open on Tuesdays and Sundays from 7.30pm – 10.00pm.

Terence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk/) provides services, support and advice whatever your sexuality, HIV status, gender, cultural background or ethnic origin. If you’re affected by HIV, or think you might be, then they’ll try to help. Call the Woking office on 01483 263 160.

Gay Youth UK (www.gyuk.co.uk) is a national site that offers loads of information and support on coming out, keeping safe and healthy, and other daily issues that that gay, lesbian and bisexual young people have to cope with.


Abuse

If you are affected by abuse or rape, remember you are the victim:  it is NOT your fault.  Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional.  Telling someone is never easy but there are lots of people who will listen and help.

If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse or rape, take the first step to stopping it.  Talk to someone you can trust:  a Connexions Personal Adviser, a teacher, a youth worker or doctor.

  • NSPCC 0808 800 5000 or www.nspcc.org.uk
  • ChildLine 0800 1111
  • Domestic violence helpline 0845 702 3468

The Rape And Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) is a voluntary Guildford based charitable organisation providing a range of confidential and caring services to anyone (male or female) whose life has been affected by sexual abuse or rape, whether recently or in the past, in Surrey and beyond. If you would like to talk, call us on 01483 546400 or visit www.rasasc-guildford.org  


Smoking

For every 1000 teenagers who start smoking, about 500 will die early from smoking-related illnesses.  Increasingly, smoking is being seen as anti-social: your teeth and fingers become stained, your breath, hair, clothes and home smell.


Drugs and alcohol

Taking un-prescribed drugs is dangerous because you never know what you’re taking or what effect it may have on your body – major organs including your heart and brain can be permanently damaged and abusing drugs can kill you.

Drinking alcohol under the age of 18 and taking drugs is illegal.  If you’re caught with drugs then you could go to prison. 

If you're living with a parent who is a drug user, check out www.parentsusingdrugs.org.uk for some support

Visit our Alcohol & Drugs pages for more info


Personal Safety

By taking a few simple precautions, you can help to make sure you don't become a victim. Check out these websites for some common-sense guidelines.

 Visit the Personal Safety pages for loads of useful suggestions in different situations.

Stress - taking the stress out of revision and exams

To make the exams as stress free as possible, you need to think ahead – start planning your revision and the run up to them in advance!
*  Give yourself time to work out what suits you best.
* It is important to make sure you complete your assignments or coursework in good time.
* Make a revision plan and stick to it! Don’t forget to leave some time to eat, sleep and relax. Work little and often.
* Plan breaks – think about what helps you to relax.

Click here for more help and some useful websites

 

Visit our Sex & Personal Relationships  and Health pages for more info

Need advice now?

Search for your local Connexions Centre at www.go2do.co.uk Don’t forget you can also call Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19 (lines open 8am – 2am, seven days a week), text 07766 4 13 2 19, or click here for a webchat with a Personal Adviser., or visit www.connexions-direct.com for more info.

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