SEXUAL HEALTH & WELL BEING

Healthy living

When you are using drugs, it is easy to forget about what you are eating, whether you are taking care of yourself and, even more importantly, whether you are protecting yourself from Sexually Transmitted Infections or pregnancy. Here is some basic information that can help you make better choices.

Sexual health

You and your partner(s) are both responsible for your sexual health. There are lots of different ways of protecting yourself from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

There are many different types of STIs, including Chlamydia, HIV/Aids, Hepatitis A, B, and C, genital warts, pubic lice (crabs), Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. Catching an STI can mean an itchy inconvenience or it can mean you face sterility or a lifetime of illness – even death. Taking simple steps to protect yourself, like using a condom, can make all the difference.

If you think you may be at risk from unwanted pregnancy or an STI, visit the www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk website for more information and advice.

You can also get free and confidential advice on contraception, pregnancy and STIs by visiting your local ‘No Worries’ practice (visit www.ruthinking.co.uk or call 0800 28 29 30 for details), your doctor, family planning clinics or the genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM) in your local hospital.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE 16 OR OVER TO GET FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SEXUAL HEALTH ADVICE

Healthy eating

Eating is an important and enjoyable activity. And healthy eating is not about cutting out your favourite foods, like chocolate, but getting the balance right. The food we eat provides us with the energy we need to be active and stay healthy. Eating a variety of natural foods, like fruit and vegetables, with foods like bread, rice and pasta will provide us with a wide range of nutrients to maintain our energy levels.

Foods that contain significant amounts of fat (cream, pies, cakes, ice cream), sugar (biscuits, chocolate, fruit squashes) or salt (crisps, cheese, prepared meals) will not provide you with as many nutrients or as much energy as fruit and vegetables and that’s why a balanced diet is important.

Take a look at www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk and check out the ‘healthy eating’ section for more information on how to eat right.

Eating disorders

Eating a balanced diet on a regular basis will improve physical and mental health. It is normal for young people to try different foods, like or hate some foods, try new diets and to gain or lose a little weight from time to time. Problems can start if eating or not eating takes over someone’s way of life. Some problems, or eating disorders, might develop, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Take a look at www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk and check out the ‘emotional health and well being’ section for information on eating disorders and how to cope with them.

Mental health – anxiety, depression, feelings of suicide

Everyone experiences situations that leave them feeling anxious, fed up, sad or angry. For most people these moments come and go quite naturally. Most people have good mental health and can deal with life’s problems and challenges.

However, for some people it isn’t easy or possible to deal with problems because they may not be able to work things out or stop themselves from feeling a certain way. This can be very confusing and they may turn to using drugs or alcohol to help them manage their problems and feelings.

If you have any concerns about your own mental health or if you would just like to know more, take a look at www.youngminds.org.uk or The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Poverty

Please contact the FLUX office.

Homelessness

Please contact the FLUX office.

The facts about abuse

There are laws in Britain that protect young people from being caused harm to their health and development.

These laws protect young people from being physically abused, sexually abused, emotionally abused or neglected by their parents or primary carers.

PHYSICAL ABUSE – has taken place when a young person has been attacked and hurt or injured on purpose.

SEXUAL ABUSE – occurs when a young person is forced to witness or forced to become involved with inappropriate sexual activity against their will.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE – occurs when a young person is not shown positive attention or affection and when negative things are said to them repeatedly and in such a way as to make them feel constantly frightened or alone.

NEGLECT – is where a young person is not looked after properly by their parent or carer and where they are not given enough food or clothing or somewhere appropriate to live and sleep.

No young person should suffer abuse or neglect. If you feel that you or another young person may be suffering abuse or neglect you can do something about it. Call the number nearest to you between 9am and 5pm to find help and advice:

Amesbury – 01980 664980
Bradford on Avon – 01225 773500
Calne – 01249 444321
Chippenham – 01249 444321
Corsham – 01249 444321
Cricklade/Purton – 01793 853434
Devizes – 01380 730055
Malmesbury – 01793 853434
Melksham – 01225 773500
Salisbury – 01722 327551
Tidworth/Ludgershall – 01380 730055
Trowbridge – 01225 773500
Warminster – 01985 218021
Westbury – 01985 218021
Wootton Bassett – 01793 853434

Emergency duty service – 0845 6070888
Call this number if you need help between 5pm and 9am each day and all weekend.
OR you can e-mail childrenandfamilies@wiltshire.gov.uk

Or you can call Childline freephone 0800 1111

Wiltshire's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) website
Provides information on how organisations work together to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect.