HARM REDUCTION

“A set of plans that supports people to reduce harm to themselves and their communities, through the sharing of related information, facts, and helpful material tools, that will allow them to make learned and informed decisions.  It knows the skill of their efforts to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.” (Harm Reduction Considered and Applied)

Example of Harm Reduction:  Needle Exchange Program
-Aims to prevent the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases among intravenous drug users by exchanging old needles for new ones

Click here to learn more about harm reduction: Manitoba Harm Reduction Network – www.harmreductionnetwork.mb.ca

SAFER SEX

“Safer sex” means making sex safer: safer from sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), safer from unplanned pregnancy and safer from violence.  It means taking control, having self-respect and respect for partners.

Sex is a normal and healthy part of our lives.

Today, there are many types of infections that are spread through sex. These infections are called sexually transmitted infections or STI’s.  Some are easily cured. Some infections have no cure. There are many kinds of STI’s, and they can badly affect your health.  You should know about STI’s because they can affect your ability to have children later in life. Some can also cause cancer. AIDS is fatal.  In Canada, the highest rates and increases in STI’s are in young people ages 15 to 24.

If you are having sex, or thinking about having sex, you need to know how to avoid STI’s.
Click here to learn about STI’s and about how to have safer sex:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/std-mts/index.html
www.cyberisle.org
www.teenwire.com
www.caan.ca

cartoon

Click here to view anatomy: http://www.spiderbytes.ca/Health/Health_Anatomy.shtml
 

SEXUALITY

Sexuality is the condition of being known or noted by sex.  Sexuality affects thoughts, feelings, actions, interactions, and thereby our mental and physical health.  Within every community, there is a range of personal and social moral, beliefs, values and ethics related to sexuality.  The role of sexuality changes throughout the stages of an individual’s life.

Sexual identity has many sides and includes our sex, gender, sexual nature, and sexual expression.  Our sexual identity has many sides:

Sex: Am I male or female?  Refers to our biological femaleness or maleness.  There are two levels: genetic (our chromosomal sex) and our anatomical sex (the external and internal sexual organs).  A person can also be inter-sexual (mixed sexual characteristics).

Gender: Describes the mental and social meaning added to being a man or a woman.

Gender Identity: Our personal sense of “I am a man, I am a woman” (which may or may not be the same as birth sex, e.g. transgender).

Gender Role: What roles do men and women adopt?  What’s different?  What’s the same?  Gender role is a collection of attitudes and behaviors that are considered normal and correct in a specific culture for a particular sex.

Sexual Nature: To whom, am I sexually and emotionally attracted?  Sexual nature refers to our capacity to develop intimate, emotional, and/or sexual relationships with the same sex (lesbian, gay), the other sex (heterosexual), or both sexes (bisexual).

Biology: What changes will I go through at puberty?  What effect will my hormones have on me?  What physical and mental changes will I experience at various life stages?

Relationships: How do I know who I am?  How will I relate to others?

Values and Beliefs: How do I make choices about what is right and wrong?  What is the basis for my sexual decision-making?  How do my culture and/or religion shape my values and beliefs regarding sexuality?

Reproductive Decisions: How important is it to me, to be a parent?  Will I become a parent?  If so, when and with whom?  If not, what will I do to prevent that?

Sexual Health: How will I remain sexually healthy?  How can I protect my partner and myself, now and in the future, from diseases and emotional harm?

Feelings: What feelings do I have about sexuality and sexual relationships?  How do I experience intimacy?

Social Skills: How secure do I feel in social settings?  Do I know the right limits?

Thoughts, Fantasies: Sometimes I will just wonder about things or imagine them: is it something I would choose to do or not?  How would I handle this?

Media: How do the media (TV shows, movies, music videos, print materials) show sex relationships, and other sexuality issues?
(Source: Beyond the Basics: A Sourcebook on Sexual and Reproductive Health Education. 2001)

To learn more about sexuality click here:
http://www.sexualityandu.ca/home_e.aspx

Rainbow Resource Centre:  www.rainbowresourcecentre.org

Gender Stereotypes

  1. Mohammed is walking home from school, carrying his science project to show his family.  Some of his classmates run up behind him and knock his project out of his arms.  Mohammed begins to cry:
    • Solution A: It is okay for Mohammed to cry.  Why?  How does this solution make him feel?
    • Solution B: It is not okay for Mohammed to cry.  Why?  How does this solution make him feel?

  2. Fatima would like to help the teacher with the film projector, help move tables, and carry boxes. The teacher always chooses the boys to help with these tasks. Fatima thinks that she is just as strong as some of the boys.
    • Solution A: Fatima should be asked to help the teacher. Why? How does this solution make her feel?
    • Solution B: Fatima should not be asked to help the teacher. Why? How does this solution make her feel?

  3. Lynne would like a model airplane kit for her birthday. Her friends have been telling her she should ask for a jewellery making kit, since model airplane kits are not meant for girls.
    • Solution A: Lynne should ask for a model airplane kit. Why? How does this solution make her feel?
    • Solution B: Lynne should not ask for a model airplane kit? Why? How does this solution make her feel?

  4. Scott would like to baby-sit for his next door neighbour when she goes grocery shopping. The neighbour has one child who is six years old. Scott’s twin sister is always the one who is asked to baby-sit.
    • Solution A: Scott should have a chance to go babysitting. Why? How does this solution make him feel?
    • Solution B: Scott should not have a chance to go babysitting. Why? How does this solution make him feel?

  5. Tony has been taking ballet lessons since he was five years old. Recently he won an award for his dancing. Tony has not told any of his classmates about his dancing.
    • Solution A: Tony should tell his classmates. Why? How does this situation make Tony feel?
    • Solution B: Tony should not tell his classmates? Why? How does this solution make Tony feel?

  6. Jen wants to join the community hockey team. Some boys have told her she can’t join the team. Jen thinks that she is just as good a player as some of the boys and doesn’t understand why they don’t want her on the team.
    • Solution A: Jen should be able to join the team. Why? How does this solution make her feel?
    • Solution B: Jen should not be able to join the team. Why? How does this solution make her feel?

SELF-ESTEEM

Self-esteem is how valuable, loveable, worthwhile and skilled we feel – is crucial to accepting, maintaining, and enhancing sexual health.  Self-esteem is based on life experiences and personal relationships.  It changes over time, depending on life circumstances.

Me

I am the only ME I’ve got.  I am unique.  There are two parts of ME.  There is the inside ME and the outside ME.

The outside ME is what you see: the way I act; the image I portray; the way I look; and the things I do.

The outside ME is very important.  It is my messenger to the world, and much of my outside ME is what communicates with you.  I value what I have done, the way I look, and what I share with you.

The inside ME knows all of my feelings, my secret ideas, and my many hopes and dreams.  Sometimes I let you know a little bit about the inside ME, and sometimes it’s a very private part of myself.

Even though there is an enormous number of people in this world, no one is exactly like me.  I take full responsibility for ME, and the more I learn about myself, the more responsibility I am going to take.

You see ME is my responsibility.  As I know myself more and more, I find out that I am an OK person.

Sometimes things happen that are not my fault.  I am still wonderful and special and full of potential.

I have some good things in my life because I am a good person.  I have accomplished some things in my life because I am a competent person.  I know some special people because I am worth knowing.  I celebrate the many things I have done for myself.

I’ve also made some mistakes.  I can learn from them.  I have also known some people who did not appreciate me.  They’re missing out on knowing a great person.

I’ve wasted some precious time.  I can start to make new choices now.  As long as I can feel, think, grow, and behave, I have great possibility.

I am going to take those risks and those possibilities, and I am going to grow and love and celebrate.  I AM WORTH IT!
(Source: Unknown)

(Source: Beyond the Basics: A Sourcebook on Sexual and Reproductive Health Education. 2001)

Affirmations For Building Self-esteem

  1. I am a valuable and important person, and I'm worthy of the respect of others.
  2. I am my own expert, and I allow others the same privilege.
  3. I express my ideas easily, and I know others respect my point of view.
  4. I am aware of my value system and confident of the decisions I make based on my current awareness.
  5. I have a positive expectancy of reaching my goals, and I bounce back quickly from temporary setbacks.
  6. I have pride in my past performance and a positive expectancy of the future.
  7. I accept compliments easily and share my success with others who have contributed to them.
  8. I feel warm and loving toward myself, for I am a unique and precious being, ever doing the best my awareness permits, ever growing in wisdom and love.
  9. I am actively in charge of my life and direct it in constructive channels. My primary responsibility is for my own growth and well being (the better I feel about myself, the more willing and able I am to help others.)
  10. I am my own authority (and I am not affected by negative opinions or attitudes of others.)
  11. It is not what happens to me, but how I handle it, that determines my emotional well being.
  12. I'm a success to the degree that I feel warm and loving toward myself.
  13. No one in the entire world is more or less worthy, more or less important, than I.
  14. I count my blessings and rejoice in my growing awareness.
  15. I am an action person; I do first things first and one thing at a time.
  16. I am warm and friendly toward all I contact; I treat everyone with consideration and respect.
  17. I am kind, compassionate and gentle with myself.

Click here to learn more about self-esteem:
http://www.cln.org/themes/self_esteem.html

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Tips for a Good Night Out
A few tips to make sure you have a good night out.

Sticking together

You love your mates (most of the time!) and we love them too. So when you're drinking, stick together and look out for each other. It's best if someone in the team isn't going to get too wrecked and they can keep an eye out for the rest.

Share a taxi

If you don't want to disturb anyone else (i.e. sleepy Mum or Dad, angry older brother...) put some cash aside for a taxi home (in ya shoe is a good safe spot where you won't spend it). If you share, you can save some ping as well.

Doing it alone

This is probably not such a crash hot idea. If you have to walk home, try to walk with a friend. Don't let your friends wander off by themselves either, especially if they are less than on to it.

And remember

Drinking alcohol is your choice and you can choose to make it rad or bad. Sometimes, less is more. Have a few, feel good, but not out of control. Listen to your body and think about your own limit
- and tomorrow morning

Click here for more information:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/tellmeabout/alcoholdrugs.shtml


CADAC Outpatient Centre

430 Main Street

Creighton Sask 1-306-688-8291


Alanon/Alateen
http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/health/alanon/


Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
http://www.afm.mb.ca/
Flin Flon 1-204-687-1771
The Pas 1-204-627-8140

STRESS

What are people feeling when they're angry?
  • Hurt
  • Frightened
  • Frustrated
  • Jealous
  • Embarrassed
  • Insecure
  • Powerless

Your family affects your feelings a lot because you spend a lot of time with them. Some days you may be having a bad day and be in a bad mood, other days one of them may be feeling that way.

What happens if you explode at someone?
  • People get hurt.
  • The problem doesn't go away.
  • You may get it off your chest, but later you feel guilty.
What happens if you keep anger inside?
  • You feel stressed and tense.
  • You stay angry.
  • You may take it out on others.
What is a good way to deal with anger?
  • Even if you always stop and think about the feelings beneath your anger sometimes you may get angry anyway. There are things you an do to let your anger out without hurting yourself or others.
  • Go to a place on your own.
  • Talk,
  • swear,
  • bang a pillow,
  • do something physical - eg Go for a run.
  • Paint/draw a picture
  • Write it down in a letter/journal/poem. (You can tear up the letter if you want)
You can let anger OUT without hurting yourself or others.

To cool down notice the physical feelings of your anger - like your heartbeat. Tense your muscles, then relax them. Take a long, deep breath, hold it, then let it out slowly. Talk with a friend. Think of something that makes you feel good to replace the angry feeling. Let some time pass... Now that you've cooled down again do some thinking about the feelings behind the anger. This really works

Dealing with someone who gets mad at you?
  • Listen to them. Try not to interrupt until they've finished talking.
  • Understand. Try to see it from their view.
  • Stay aware of what is reasonable and what is not true - don't let them bully you with their anger.
Once they've had their say
  • Use 'I' statements to say how you feel.
  • Remind them that you gave them a chance if they won't let you talk.
  • Say you're sorry if you think you were in the wrong.
  • Ask 'What can I do to make this better?'
  • Talk about ways to resolve the problem.
  • Stay with the subject. Don't start blaming them for things they may have done in the past.

Some people show their anger by threatening or hurting you. Their anger has now turned into violence. Violence is not OK ever. It is a crime and the person should not be allowed to get away with it.

People who use anger to get their own way are bullies. A bully can be anyone - a member of your family, someone your own age, a stranger, or someone you thought was a friend. You should never have to do anything because you're afraid of someone.

For more information go to

http://www.life-with-confidence.com/deal-with-stress.html

BULLYING

What can you do if you're being bullied?

You can do something about being bullied. Bullying makes a person feel lousy - frightened and like a piece of nothing. The sooner you stop feeling like this the better you'll feel about yourself. You'll feel more relaxed and safer.

Tell someone you trust now for help and support (a teacher you trust or your school counsellor, older friend, parents). Make it clear to them that it is a real problem for you and something must be one about it. Keep telling people until something is done.

Don't be worried about telling someone about being bullied. It's not your fault. Telling someone is the best way of sticking up for yourself there is.

Don't think you'll get into worse trouble with the person (or people) who are hassling you. When you talk to someone it means you're not alone any longer, and you can think of ways to overcome the problem together.

For more information go to:
www.cyberisle.org

PEER PRESSURE

What is a Peer?

A peer is someone around your age. A peer could be someone in your class at school or a friend on a sports team or in an after-school activity.

What is Negative Peer Pressure?

Negative peer pressure is when one of your peers encourages you with words to do something that is wrong, dangerous, or illegal. Examples could be cheating on schoolwork, stealing, smoking or using other drugs and alcohol.

10 Responses to Negative Peer Pressure:

  1. Simply say "NO""No thanks"
  2. Leave the scene.
  3. Ignore the peer(s).
  4. Make an excuse. "I can't. I have to go do my homework."
  5. Change the subject.
  6. Make a joke."Sorry, I have to go home…I'm expecting a call from  Michael Jordan!"
  7. Act shocked."Are you crazy? That could hurt us!"
  8. Use flattery."You're too smart to do that."
  9. Suggest a better idea."Why don't we watch a movie instead?"
  10. Return the challenge."What's the matter? Too scared to do it your self?"

"Peer pressure occurs when the individual experiences implicit or explicit persuasion, sometimes amounting to coercion, to adopt similar values, beliefs, and goals, or to participate in the same activities as those in the peer group. (Bourne, 1998)" Often it is the case during hazing incidents that those being initiated find themselves in a situation where they are unable to resist the peer pressure to participate. If several members of a group are being initiated at the same time without objection, it is unlikely that one member will object to the activities, for fear of being singled out. That one member will more likely go along with the activity because his/her peers are there going through the same thing, or because she or she is being pressured by the members of the group to comply.

Peer Pressure

Dedicated to my sweet sister Ariela Vardit

Look at me,
Tell me what you see
What kind of person do you want me to be?
I won’t change for you, or for anybody else
Who do you want me to be if not myself?
You tell me who you want me to be
Why can’t I just be me?
You try to tell me what to wear,
Who I can see,
What I can say,
And when I can go out and play
But I won’t listen
Because I am me
My own person,
I know who I will be --
A leader
Not a follower like you want me to be
I am myself, shouldn’t you be?
© NoPainZone . Al l Right s Re s e r ved. 1999 - 2003

 For more information on peer pressure go to:
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/friend/peer_pressure.html