Health

Mental Health Matters: Exploring Medication Options for Teenagers

Mental Health Matters (MHM) is an annual day of action during which thousands of people across New York State take a stand to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental illness, which in turn leads to improved access to care. MHM also educates people about mental health conditions and demonstrates that while they can be difficult to overcome, they are highly treatable, just like any other chronic medical condition.

It’s important to remember that the symptoms of mental health disorders can be similar to physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, and that many times they are harder to detect …

Health

Safety for Teens: Tips for Responsible Medicine Use

In some cases, teens experiment with drugs because they are bored. They may also try drugs to fit in with their peers or as a way to rebel against family rules. Substance abuse can lead to drug dependence, poor judgment and high-risk sexual activity and unplanned pregnancy.

Teens who have clear consistent rules about substance use are more likely to follow them. But getting teens to open up can be challenging. Using current news events or TV shows as conversation starters can make it easier to bring up the topic of drug and alcohol use. And don’t just have one …

Health

The Role of Preventive Medicine in Teenage Healthcare

Preventive medicine is an expanding field as the value of delaying or averting illness and disease becomes increasingly appreciated. It costs less to prevent disease than it does to try to cure it and a healthier lifestyle reduces medical expenses in the long run.

The adolescent population represents a particularly important group for prevention efforts because their health habits can impact their lifelong wellbeing. Adolescents can benefit from a wide range of preventive services, including immunizations and regular screening for psychiatric disorders.

In addition, the adolescent years are a time of rapid growth and bodily development, including sexual maturation and …

Health

Helping Teenagers Manage Chronic Conditions

Adolescence is a unique developmental period that requires cognitive and physical growth the development of a sense of identity and close relationships with peers. For teens living with a chronic medical condition or disability adolescence can be particularly challenging because it is often a time of increasing independence and increased social demands. Often, these demands are in conflict with the medical treatments that are necessary to manage a chronic illness or disability.

It is important for teens to feel empowered when it comes to their health care. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they should be completely on their own, but …

Health

The Importance of Open Communication about Medicine

Effective communication is one of the foundations for effective operations patient safety and quality healthcare delivery. Despite this, healthcare professionals are often stymied in their efforts by a variety of communication barriers. In a recent Sermo poll, physicians identified issues such as delayed information, technical challenges and outdated technology as some of the most common obstacles to efficient communication.

Providing a comfortable environment where staff can express their concerns and opinions is a critical component of effective leadership. However, this requires an open-minded and respectful approach from all leaders. This means not being defensive or shutting down communication channels when …