September 2020, Issue 9
This newsletter was developed (in part) with federal funds from the Office of Population Affairs. For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to our programs, please visit
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Wyoming Health Council contributes to health and well-being for all, where we grow, live, learn, work and play.
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Let's Teach Sex Education!
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It's September and school is back in session! Whether you are going back to the classroom or staying virtual this year, one thing parents are supporting is sex education! Recent surveys, like this one, are showing overwhelming support by parents for comprehensive, medically accurate and inclusive, sex ed! More and more people are recognizing that comprehensive and inclusive sex education can help youth delay the onset of sexual activity, reduce the frequency of sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase condom and contraceptive use. Comprehensive sex education can also provide youth with the information and skills necessary to help them take personal responsibility for their health and overall well being. Sex education promotes learning not only about ones physical body, but issues such as consent, healthy relationships, gender and sexual identity and so much more. Sex education can vary by state, so make sure to know what your school is teaching and advocate for better sex education for your children if your state is lacking. And parents, get involved! There are great resources out there for parents who want to be involved in teaching sex ed to their kids, and they cover appropriate material for a wide range of ages. Check out AMAZE.org for great videos and a parent section or Advocates For Youth, which offers educational material by ages.
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National Suicide Awareness Month
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Suicide is the second leading cause of death among ages 10-24 across the nation, with Wyoming being ranked 3rd highest in the nation for suicide and depression rates. These are scary numbers, especially when we think about our youth. "Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth age 15-24. Approximately one out of every 15 high school students reports attempting suicide each year. One out of every 53 high school students reports having made a suicide attempt that was serious enough to be treated by a doctor or a nurse. For each suicide death among young people, there may be as many as 100 to 200 suicide attempts."
LGBTQ+ young people are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal, and over four times as likely to attempt suicide, compared to heterosexual youth; the rates may be especially high for bisexual teens. According to one study, a third of transgender youth have seriously considered suicide, and one in five has made a suicide attempt.
Added to preexisting depression and anxiety, many teens are experiencing situational depression due to the pandemic,“Depression in teenagers is at an all-time high right now. As a result of the pandemic and the stressors it has created, 70 percent of teens are experiencing mental health challenges.”
For National Suicide Prevention Month, learn how to spot the signs of depression in teens such as, but not limited to, sadness or hopelessness, change in appetite or sleep habits, irritability, isolation or lack of interest in activities, anxiety or drug and alcohol abuse.
Teens and parents can find all kinds of help in the digital age by just picking up their smart phone:
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth.
TeenLine lets teens talk to other teens, getting peer support.
Well Beings for digital stories that are helping dismantle the stigmatization of depression and health.
Check out this article for other resources!
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Sex Education classes are becoming more popular for adults, as many feel they never received comprehensive sex ed in school. Check out these resources for adults wishing to expand their knowledge!
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National Sexual Health Awareness Month
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Each year, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) celebrates World Sexual Health Day on September 4th, and the theme for the 2020 observation is Sexual Pleasure in Times of COVID-19. While recognizing the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, WAS notes that “life must go on and that sexuality is an inseparable and essential part of human beings.” To that end, they highlight their Declaration on Sexual Pleasure, recognizing the current situation as “an opportunity to celebrate and promote sexual pleasure, to highlight the possibilities of accessing a pleasurable sexual life, free of coercion, motivating people to pursuit positive outcomes from sexual activity, exploring their bodies and relationships.”
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WYOMING HEALTH COUNCIL
400 East First St, Suite 313
Casper, WY 82601
Call Us: (307) 439-2033
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