National Adolescent Health Month

National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™) 2023 | HHS Office of Population Affairs

"Adolescent Health Month" is a national and statewide initiative that supports partnerships between families and their communities and emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging and supporting meaningful youth engagement in adolescent health activities, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health.

The Minnesota Department of Health joins with national partners as well as many youth serving organizations, volunteers, health care professionals, and communities in providing information, tools and support necessary to support adolescent health.

Below are the four weekly themes MDH has adopted from the national campaign and will share throughout May to heighten awareness about the importance of adolescent health.

Week 1: Expand sexual and reproductive health information and services

Better information and improved access to services will help adolescents, with the support of their parents and caregivers, make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being. Young people prefer health services that are youth-friendly, culturally competent, affordable, convenient, and confidential. Learn more about reproductive health information and services.

• Minnesota Department of Health hosts two programs with a shared vision to create successful transitions from youth to adulthood through promoting healthy decisions and providing medically accurate, evidence-based quality sexual education to Minnesota teens. Learn more about these programs at Minnesota’s Healthy Teen Initiative and the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)
• Minnesota Department of Health also offers the Family Planning Special Project (FPSP) grant program and along with the Minnesota Family Planning and STD hotline. To learn more about the Minnesota Family Planning and STD hotline and where to access teen-friendly reproductive health care please visit Family Planning

Week 2: Promote self-care to support mental health

According to the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey, Minnesota students reported greater struggles with mental health, such as depression and anxiety, than at any other time in the history of the survey, which began in 1989 and occurs every three years. We all play a role in promoting the mental health of young people. One way adults can support adolescent mental health is by sharing and facilitating self-care practices that young people can use in their daily lives to manage stress, regulate emotions, sustain energy levels, and prevent or treat illnesses. Learn more about adolescent mental health and self-care.

• Minnesota Department of Health, Mental Health Promotion highlights a number of youth-focused resources and programs such as the Reimagine Black Youth Mental Health Initiative and programs supporting youth whose parents are incarcerated.
• U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory Protecting Youth Mental Health (PDF)
• Practicing self-care can look different for everyone. The JED Foundation Mental Health Resource Center has a variety of ideas for self-care activities.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention How Right Now Finding What Helps promotes and strengthens emotional well-being and resiliency that can help you through a range of emotions that we all face

Week 3: Celebrate ways that communities can support health

Schools, neighborhoods, and community settings can foster and support healthy adolescent development across the spectrum, including physical and mental health, social interactions, and cognitive growth. Communities are working to advance adolescent health by elevating youth voice, prioritizing meaningful youth engagement, building on young people’s strengths and talents, improving access to services in various settings, and making services and supports more youth friendly. Learn more positive youth development.

• Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health’s Strategic Plan offers action steps, community solutions, and resources to help communities support adolescent health. Learn more at The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health
• Minnesota Department of Health, School Health Services program provides consultation, training, and support to local school districts to promote the health and safety of Minnesota's young people in schools.
• The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs defines positive youth development as  “an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people’s strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths” Learn more at Positive Youth Development

Week 4: Equip adults to support adolescent health

Caring adults who understand young people and their development play an important role in guiding and supporting young people through adolescence. All adults, whether they live with youth or not, have important roles to play in providing support to young people. Positive connections with adults can protect youth from many risk behaviors and negative health outcomes. Learn more about how caring adults can support adolescents.

• Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health’s Strategic Plan offers action steps, community solutions, and resources to help communities support adolescent health. Learn more at The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health
• Caring adults need accurate and reliable information about adolescent development. The State Adolescent Health Resource Center at the University of Minnesota offers fact sheets and videos for adults about adolescent development. Adolescent & Young Adult Development
• The Search Institute provides information on the importance of Developmental Relationships in helping young people thrive. They identify five key elements in the Developmental Relationships Framework. Learn more at Developmental Relationships Help Young People Thrive

Resources for Parents and Teens

• Advocates for Youth
• Power to Decide: The Campaign to Prevent Unplanned Pregnancy
• Planned Parenthood: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
• CDC - Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy
• Tips for Parents and Caregivers of Teens | HHS Office of Population Affairs
• MySelf My Health

Resources for Providers

• Infographic: Teens Visiting Health Clinic | CDC
• CDC - Teen Pregnancy Prevention for Healthcare Providers
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Adolescent Sexual Health
• 7 Tips for Youth-Supporting Professionals for Talking with Youth About Sexual and Reproductive Health - Activate Collective
• Healthy Teen Network - Youth Friendly Healthcare Services 

Additional Resources

• Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report 
• Positive Youth Development Resources | HHS Office of Population Affairs
• The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health