1. By Kate Wilton

2. There are a number of health issues concerning Australia’s youth; Mental health is defined as a disturbance in a persons thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Some mental health issues that may start to develop in youth are schizophrenia, autism, anxiety, ADHD and a range of eating disorders. Asthma is a repertory condition that involves narrowing and swelling of the airways. Asthma has a number of triggers including cigarette smoke, dust and animals. It is treated by using a ventolin. Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body is unable to produce enough insulin. Youth obesity can be caused by excess fatty food intake and not enough exercise. Being overweight can also cause chronic disease or premature death. HEALTH ISSUES.

3. Sun protection in Australia is on the rise with 82% of Australian youth using some sort of sun protection. Over 300 Victorians die every year from skin cancer. With over-exposure to the sun in the first 15 years of life it becomes a major risk for developing skin cancer later in life. Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease. Food allergies are an abnormal response to a specific food, causing the immune system to produce antibodies to fight against the substance. The most common allergies are: peanuts and other nuts, egg, milk, shellfish, sesame and soy. Sudden reactions are known as anaphylaxis and require urgent medial attention. HEALTH ISSUES.

4. Australian youth live in a range of different house-holds with parents or carers, independently, with friends or with other family. Youth often decide to leave home to search for individuality/ independence, or to find their place in the community. Legally youth can leave home at 17, but for must families their home as a ‘revolving door’ where youth move back home for a number of reasons including money restrictions, work, studies and or being homesick. Cyber-bullying is the most common form of bullying by youth aged between 11- 16. Bullying can have a negative impact on both victim and perpetrators health, people that are often bullied suffer from low self- esteem and are responsible for absenteeism rates. Some victims of bullying resort to self harm to deal with the physical and psychological pain. HEALTH ISSUES.

5. A drug is a substance that affects the way the body works, physically and mentally, short-term and long-term. When the word ‘drug’ is mentioned majority of society think of illegal substances like cocaine or heroin, but alcohol and tobacco are also drugs, though they are legal. Alcohol is the highest consumed drug in Australia. It can cause long term health problems like bowel, central nervous system and psychological problems. Some short term problems include motor vehicle accidents, assaults, falls and unprotected sex, which can lead to contracting STD’s. Tobacco is the most commonly used drug in Australian’s aged 14 and up, smoking causes repertory illness, cancers and premature deaths. DRUG USE.

6. Taking drugs impacts on all aspects of life like: Mental health- drugs like Marijuana, ecstasy, pain killers, hallucinogens, tranquillizers, inhalants and cocaine are all linked to the progression of mental illnesses. Social Health- people who take drugs are usually excluded from social groups that don’t participate in drug taking but are then accepted by groups who do take drugs and then are encouraged to take more. Intellectual health- when the body is under the influence of drugs the mind plays tricks and you almost loose yourself, the after affects of taking drugs are loss of brain cells and potential damage to organs in the body. DRUG USE.

7. Physical Health- Taking drugs changes your physical appearance, you become pale, gaunt, older looking & generally un-healthy looking. DRUG USE.

8. Community groups that support youth are essential for creating positive outcomes for youths’ health and development. Community programs such as YACVic involve individuals to develop support systems and a range of skills. Government groups develop, implement and support strategies or initiatives with the aim of addressing health issues of concern. Community participation in health programs involve: educating and inform the community about the issues, seeking solutions based on what the community wants, providing programs and support services for individuals and families. Personal strategies for health promotion include: understanding thr health isses affecting youth, ganing knowledge on how to maintain a healthy diet, taking responsibilities, knowing your rights and responsibilities. GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY & PERSONAL PROGRAMS.

9. Challenge- Drug Use. Strategy relating- National Alcohol Strategy (NAS) Organisation responsible for implementing strategy- The NAS was endorsed by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) in May 2006. The responsibility for implementing the recommendations is spread across jurisdictions. The recommendations form the strategy will guide the development and implementation od a policy framework to respond to alcohol-related harm in Australia. GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY & PERSONAL PROGRAMS.

10. DRUG USE.