Health

General health and medical matters

Keeping healthy can make you feel good about yourself and can help you cope with life’s pressures and problems. Arrange to see your doctor if you have any worries about your physical, mental, emotional or sexual health.

Your Connexions Personal Adviser is also a good person to talk to in confidence about any of the issues mentioned.

Sexual health, contraception and pregnancy

Emergency Contraception – the emergency contraceptive pill (the morning after pill) needs to be taken within three days of unprotected sex, or an intrauterine device (IUD or coil) needs to be fitted by a health professional within five days of unprotected sex.

Free emergency contraception for young women, including those under 16, is available from:

Brook Centre – 1 Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 5HH.
Ask Brook helpline – 0800 0185 023.
Your doctor
Family Planning Clinics
NHS Walk-in Centres in the West of England:

City Gate, 33 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EZ.
T: 0117 906 9610.
Knowle West Health Park, Downton Road, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1WH.
T: 0117 903 0000.
4: Riverside Health Centre, James Street West, Bath BA1 2BT
T: 01225 474241.

Young women who are 16 or over can also buy the emergency contraceptive pill in chemists (no prescription needed) – it costs about £24.

There is a lot to learn and understand about safe sex, sexually transmitted infections, contraception and pregnancy. You shouldn’t feel under any pressure to have sex.

Free condoms plus confidential advice about the best way to use them is available from all Connexions West of England Centres. Contact your local centre for the time of C-Card sessions.

Self harm

Self-harm is more common a problem than you realise. From time to time depressed feelings inside you can build up and give you a lot of stress and worries e.g. worrying about schoolwork or exams, bullying, the death of someone close, parents or carers getting divorces. It is usually at this point that people harm themselves. Many people hurt themselves secretly for a long time before finding the courage to tell people.

If you are self-harming, find someone you can talk to. If you think someone might be self-harming try to get them to talk to you and encourage them to seek medical help.

Depression and suicidal thoughts

People get worried and depressed about all sorts of different things. And we all cope with our worries in different ways. Sometimes we can feel hopeless and that nobody understands us. Sometimes we can feel that ending it all is the best answer. If you ever feel this way you need to talk to someone.

There are always people ready to listen to you. Talk to a parent or carer, a good friend or an adult you know and trust. Don’t suffer on your own.

Eating disorders

What you eat and drink can affect your life now and in the future. Having a healthy diet doesn’t mean giving up all your favourite foods – but it does mean eating a range of foods that will help keep your body working properly and at a healthy weight.

Eating disorders can be triggered by all sorts of situations and can, in the early stages, go completely unnoticed. A focus on food can become a way of controlling your life – especially if you feel you have little or no control of your life in general. Eating disorders are not easy to tackle on your own and can be dangerous if left untreated. The earlier you seek help the better.

Keeping healthy

Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise helps to maintain fitness and health. Not only does it increase energy levels, it also helps to improve general health, circulation and posture. There are lots of ways you can take exercise – it’s important to find something you enjoy!

Mental health

Everyone has to deal with different kinds of feelings and emotions. Sometimes we feel happy and at other times we feel sad and down. There are many things people worry about such as exams, bullying, starting work or college or relationships.

There are many types of mental problems but the most common ones are stress, depression and anxiety. Many people will suffer from one of these at some point in their life but usually it will only last a short time.

Often people find it very difficult to talk about having a mental health problem – but help is out there.

Drugs, alcohol, smoking and gambling (other addictions)

Alcohol, drugs, smoking and even gambling are all easy to start but can be very difficult to stop. They can lead to ill-health, debt, loss of places at school and college or loss of your job. You might even lose your friends and family and a place to live. If you have a problem, or you think a friend may be in trouble there is help available.

Weblinks

General

NHS Direct – 24-hour advice and information.
External link: nhsdirect.nhs.uk
T: 0845 46 47

Need2know – about health matters.
External link: need2know.co.uk

Youth Information – information on all sorts of health matters including body piercing and sun safety. Go to Health>Health Matters
External link: youthinformation.com

Childline – 24 hour help for young people with any problem including those in trouble or in danger.
External link: childline.org.uk
T: 0800 1111

The Samaritans – 24-hour support for those feeling very depressed or suicidal.
External link: samaritans.org
T: 08457 90 90 90

Sexual Health, Contraception and Pregnancy

4YP Bristol – sexual health services for young people
External link: 4ypbristol.co.uk

C Card – in Bath and North East Somerset (also available in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire).
External link: ccardfreecondoms.co.uk

Like it is – tells you what you need to know, exactly as it is.
External link: likeitis.org

RU Thinking? – visit the Lad Pad, the Lady Lounge - get the facts.
External link: ruthinking.co.uk
T: 0800 28 29 30

Brook – your rights, your questions, the facts.
External link: brook.org.uk
Ask Brook helpline – 0800 0185 023

Information on safeguarding rights and dignity
http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/

Self Harm

National Self Harm Network – self harm facts and support
External link: nshn.co.uk

Young People & Self Harm – understanding why you do it and how you can stop
External link: selfharm.org.uk

Eating Disorders

BEAT – information about eating disorders, how to get help and how to help someone you know with a problem.
External link: b-eat.co.uk
BEAT Youthline – 0845 634 7650

Overeaters Anonymous – information if you have a problem with eating too much
External link: oagb.org.uk

Keeping Healthy

Youth Information External link: youthinformation.com

Mental Health

Young Minds – we all have the right to feel good.
External link: youngminds.org.uk/

Drugs, alcohol, smoking and gambling (other addictions)

Alcoholics Anonymous – help with alcohol addiction
External link: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
T: 0845 769 7555

Bristol Drugs Project – support and advice
Helpline: 0117 987 1500

Down your drink – find out if you are drinking too much
External link: downyourdrink.org.uk

Gamblers Anonymous – support and advice.
External link: gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Gamcare – online support, phone support, counselling support
External link: gamcare.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 6000 133

Go Smokefree – help to stop smoking and stay stopped.
External link: givingupsmoking.co.uk

Talk to Frank – the A-Z of drugs, the effects, the law, the cost.
External link: talktofrank.com
T: 0800 77 66 00

Publication to download

Health – sexual health, self harm, depression, mental health, drugs, and alcohol abuse and gambling