Young People
These resources are designed to help you with some of the specific problems that young people face today. When you are beginning to become sexually active, it is particularly important to think about some of the things below - especially contraception if you don't intend to have a baby!
> Confidentiality
> Sex and the Law
> Young People's Services
> Adolescence and growing up
> Emergency Contraception
> Contraception
> Pregnancy
> Termination of Pregnancy
> Acne
> Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse
> Sex and Disabled Young People
> Eating disorders
> Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Young People
> Bullying
Here For You Clinics
This a drop in service offering free, confidential advice and information on health and contraception for 13- 19 year olds, the service provides free condoms, pregnancy testing and Chlamydia testing. More information including clinic locations and contact details.
Confidentiality
All doctors, nurses and health workers must keep your information confidential - this means that they can not give it out without your agreement, unless they think that you are in danger which would be a very exceptional circumstance. This still applies even if you are under sixteen.
This ‘duty of confidentiality’ as it is called, is owed to a person under the age of 16 as it is to older adults. Even when the health professional who is giving advice feels that the young person does not understand what consent to treatment really means, the consultation must remain confidential. If you do not feel that you are 'safe' with regards to confidentiality, be it with your GP, practice nurse or other professional you should mention this to the health worker or simply go elsewhere for advice.(more info)
Sex and The Law
Both the law and professional bodies (eg. the General Medical Council) set rules about certain areas including: consent to sexual relationships and medical treatment, marriage, emergency contraception, abortion and confidentiality. These are sometimes quite complex and it may be worth reading more if you are concerned about these areas. Basically, in England and Wales it is an offence to intentionally engage in sexual touching with a young person aged 13, 14 or 15. ‘Touching’ covers all physical contact, including touching with any part of the body, with anything else and through anything, for example, through clothing. It includes penetration. There are different rules for different parts of the UK. NHS direct have a guide to these issues here.
Adolescence and growing up
The change emotionally and physically from being a child into a young adult presents everyone of us with a mountain to climb. Usually we come out on the other side as well adjusted and caring adults but most of us find it a bumpy road. Its not just the acne spots that cause anxiety! There are numerous agencies who provide help to teenagers including Birmingham Brook LINK Open Door to name a few. There is a vast amount of information available on the Internet that can help young people, their parents and others to understand and live through the normal changes that are in progress.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists issues excellent information about Mental Health and Growing up. Their handbook of fact sheets is available on line here. Adolescence is a time of true embarrassment for most of us as our bodies seem to go out of control on a regular basis! Try the Embarrassing Problems website for a feast of sensible medical, social and psychological advice. Finally, why not try the sites listed by Excite UK (note : includes some American websites).
Young Birmingham - Health This is a link into the City of Birmingham webpage which gives contacts for contraception, alcohol, smoking, eating disorders and others.
Young People's Services
Young people often have difficulty in reaching the sort of services that they need. Birmingham has all sorts of approachable organisations who can help you with the problems that confront us in our teens.
Birmingham Brook Brook offer a wide variety of services for young people. For more information, and opening times, click here.
Bharosa (HOPE) 0121 303 0368/69 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm)
This services is aimed at helping vulernable adult Asians by providing counselling, advice and support via telephone and face to face services. Bharosa aim to assist with a number of issues: e.g. housing difficulties, self esteem and relationship problems (eg. forced marriages) and reconciliation cases.
Connexions Birmingham and Solihull
0121 248 8005 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm except Thurs 12.30am-4pm)
The Connexions Service offers comprehensive information, guidance and support for 13 to 19 year olds (up to 25 if disabled or have a learning disability). There are 17 Connexions Centres across the area, as well as Connexions access points for information. Opening hours may vary. Personal Advisers can provide support and advise on any issue of concern to you person, from careers and training to sexual health and housing. Some Personal Advisers are also located within other organisations and voluntary agencies, providing a more specialist role.
Information Shop for Young People
0121 303 4441 (Tues and Fri 11am-4.30pm, Wed 11am-6.30pm, Thurs 11am-5.30p)
Providing young people (11-25 year-olds) with information (leaflets etc.) on contraception, safer sex, STIs etc. They are also equipped to give you details of local agencies who can offer further help/advice. They can be found at the following address: Ground Floor Central Library, Chamberlain Square, B3 3QH. Disabled facilities are provided.
Open Door 0121 454 1102
Offering counselling (including 1-1 appointment based meetings) to young people aged between 12 and 26. Open door occasionally offer group counselling in Edgbaston, and also work in primary and secondary schools.
So What Is Sexual Health? (SWISH)
This is another website with a slightly different outlook.
Teenage Health Freak
This is a really great site for young people with loads of information - just about everything a teenager needs to know.
Young Minds 0121 303 0368/69 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm)
Offering a booklet specially for young people going through a hard time at school called 'In School, Stay Cool'. You can order a copy on the Young Minds orderline 0870 870 1721 or you can go to their website.
Young People's Sexual Health Network
This is another gold star winning site for young people
.
Emergency Contraception
Any of us can make a mistake and either fail to use regular contraception or forget in the heat of the moment to use a condom. Simply using a condom properly can be an issue. If you are in doubt and think that you might possibly be at risk of pregnancy then it is sensible to consider obtaining emergency contraception. It is really important o obtain this AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Where should you go?
Your local pharmacist can sell you emergency contraceptive pills - at participating pharmacists these are provided free of charge to those aged between 13 and 21. Your GP and practice nurse will offer this service - we suggest that you ask to speak directly to the practice nurse. If you are asked by a receptionist about what sort of problem you have just say that it is a private matter that is very urgent and you need to speak to her on the telephone.
Emergency contraception, which comes in two forms, can be effective up to 5 days following sexual intercourse. It is available as a pill (effective up to 72 hours / 3 days) following sex, or as an emergency coil (IUD). For further information see our contraception page.
Due to the importance of time with this form of contraception, it is important to seek help as quickly as possible. You can obtain emergency contraception from a family planning clinic or for under 25's, at Birmingham Brook. The Boots NHS Walk in Centre can also help with emergency contraception. Remember that the professionals are there to help you and early contact is better than leaving it for too long. You can always ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or your Surgery or GP out of hours service (via your surgery number). Both offer advice 24 hours a day. See information on your GP, and GUM clinics in Birmingham.
Contraception
There are many different contraceptive methods available and some are more convenient for young people to use than others. Depending on your needs, a particular type may be more suitable than another. For further information see our contraception page and, in confidence, consult a GP, attend a family planning or GUM clinic or make use of the many other services available.
Pregnancy
If you suspect that you might be pregnant it is important to discuss your choices with someone as soon as possible (see services below). You may want to take a pregnancy test- these give most reliable results around a week after your first missed period. Free pregnancy tests may be available from your GP, a family planning clinic, a GUM clinic, a Brook clinic and the NHS walk in centre.
Signs usually appear two to three weeks after conception and may include: missing a period, a shorter/lighter period than usual, swelling or tenderness of the breasts, tiredness, nausea, period-like cramps and appetite/mood changes. (more info)
Termination of Pregnancy
An unplanned (or sometimes planned) pregnancy can cause upset and confusion. About 1 in 5 of all pregnancies end in a termination - whatever your decision it can be very hard and lonely in making the journey. You will wish to and need to talk about your feelings in a safe environment with people who you trust. Professionals who can give you support in coming to your own decision include your GP and practice nurse, Birmingham Brook (those aged under 25) or a local family planning clinic. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) offer advice on their website; the Calthorpe Nursing home also offer independent advice on abortions. Please see our termination information for further details of what steps to take.
Acne
Acne is a disorder caused by the actions of hormones and other substances on the skin's oil glands. The resulting plugged pores (lesions/'zits') are very commonly found in young people - particularly on the face, neck, back chest and shoulders. Other than psychological effects (which can be quite severe), mild acne has few health consequences, whilst severe acne can lead to permanent scarring. Treatment is available for this condition and it is worth visiting your GP to discuss the options (more info).
Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse
Not all young people have the good fortune to start their lives in a safe and supportive environment. Some are neglected and hurt. If you feel that you have a problem then it is really important to discuss it with someone that you trust. Hopefully this may be a person within your own family but if this is not the case and you do not feel safe, then consider talking to your teacher or perhaps your school nurse.
Amazon 0121 236 9222 (Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM)
Amazon (Part of Barnardo's) offer counselling to people aged under 21 who have been sexually abused. They have disabled access but can not offer interpreters.
Barnardo's Birmingham Space 0121-212-2855 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
A counselling and support service for children and young people who are abused, or vulnerable to abuse, through sexual exploitation.
ChildLine 0800 1111 (24 hour helpline)
Telephone helpline for young people offering advice on physical and sexual abuse. They can also help young people with problems in other areas, like exam stress.
Sex and Disabled Young People
Disabled young people have more than enough to cope with without the extra worries and difficulties of sorting out relationships, both emotionally and physically. Sex is often ignored as an issue but help is at hand from Contact a Family - the national charity for families with disabled teenagers - has joined forces with the Arthrogryposis Group to tackle the issue and produce three comprehensive guides. The booklets are aimed at teenagers, their teachers and parents and give useful guidance. Click to access the site and then download the pdf booklet.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can develop for all sorts of different reasons in people of all ages although they are more common in young people, both boys and girls. They can often be a sign of deeper psychological problems. The Eating Disorders Association offers information and advice about these difficult conditions and has a section for young people. They also run a telephone helpline, Youthline - 0845 634 7650, which is open from 4pm to 6.30pm weekdays, and from 1pm to 4.30pm on Saturdays.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Young People
There are many support agencies around the City for all young people with LBGT issues. The contacts mentioned here have local branches and will point you I the right direction. Look out in your GP surgery for posters which indicate that the staff have had extra training in gay issues and are open, amenable and confidential. Some links that might be of help include Connexions, Gay Youth UK, Schools Out and LBGT History month. Terence Higgins Trust also has a useful webpage aimed at helping young people. For more links see our LBGT page.
Bullying
Bullying and harassment can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, but these problems tend to particularly affect young people who find themselves abused by each other, and by figures in authority. It's important to know that you are not alone, do not need to accept this, and that help is out there. Many services exist to provide support -there's a website with loads of information to help anyone dealing with a bullying problem, including those doing the bullying, here and if you're in Scotland you'll find lots of useful help on the young people's section of The Anti-bullying Network. The DFES have a website that shows pupils, their families and teachers how to tackle a bullying problem through new ideas, practical techniques and the experiences of those who have been bullied, or have even bullied others.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) 0808 800 5000 (24/7 Free Helpline)
The NSPCC free helpline receives many calls from children about all sorts of things that are making them unhappy, including being bullied. There's lots of information on their website, including advice for young people worried about someone being bullied. To get help, you can call them, view the website or send an e-mail to them help@nspcc.org.uk.
