Oh what a breeding ground for knowledge a high school bathroom can be!
So much to learn...about people, the weekend's adventures or misadventures and unfortunately, sometimes, the latest rumor.
Imagine if it could also be the place where people learn accurate info about
birth control, STI, pregnancy, dating, sexuality, etc.
As a Teen Talk Peer Support Volunteer you could change the world starting...
in your high school bathroom!
Here are some examples of what people asked anonymously on the question sheets posted in their high school bathrooms with the answers the PS volunteers provided*:
My pubic hairs haven’t curled yet. Am I sick?
Just like everyone’s hair is different on the top of their heads, it’s not all going to look the same with pubic hair. Everybody is different and natural and you shouldn’t expect yourself to look like anything other than you. Some people have very curly pubic hair, some have very straight pubic hair. Sometimes, pubic hair is curly after you get out of the shower but flattened and straightened by wearing underwear all day. Whatever yours looks like is okay – you are not sick.
How do you know if you’re a lesbian?
There are many things that determine whether or not a person is gay/lesbian/bi-sexual. It is important that we not feel obligated to label ourselves as either gay or straight. Factors that influence our sexuality are, the feelings we have for people (attraction), the thoughts we have for people (fantasies) or who we choose to have sex with express other forms of attraction toward (behavior). You are the only person that can answer this question for yourself. Many youth are going through the same feelings that you are. If you want to talk to someone about questions you have about being gay or bisexual, contact the Rainbow Resource Centre at 478-1160. They also have a youth group available that meets weekly.
My friend tried drugs and I’m afraid she’s hooked, what do I do?
It could be helpful to talk to your friend and tell her how you feel. Ask them how they perceive the situation because they may not see it as a problem themselves. Tell her that you want to help in any way you can but that you can’t force anyone to quit using drugs or drinking alcohol. It has to be their choice. You may want to see if they’d consider cutting down instead of insisting they just quit. A good number to get more information or to give to your friend if she’s interested is the number for AFM: 944-6235
I like this guy but he doesn’t know that I like him. Now he has a girl friend, I’m really jealous. What should I do?
Regardless of what you do, think carefully about all the possible results of your actions. (This is something to keep in mind for all sorts of decisions.) If you want to pursue the possibility of getting together with someone, you need to talk to them and tell them you like them. Just because you tell someone you like them, doesn’t mean they will want to get together but by not telling them you highly increase the chance of NOT getting together. Generally speaking, people are not mind-readers. Regarding the jealousy … try and find healthy ways to deal with these feelings. Hanging out with friends, doing things you enjoy and remembering that if things don’t happen with this guy, that’s okay because you are awesome on your own. (And someone else will come along who interests you, guaranteed.)
I’m itching down there and I think I might have an STD.
You should see a doctor right away, and if you do have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), s/he can prescribe something for you. See a doctor that will treat you with respect. Teen clinic at Klinic on 870 Portage Avenue is on Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Try to arrive no later than 7:30 p.m. if you want to see a doctor. It is a good idea to get an STI test done once a year or after changing partners. Cures and treatments are always easier to come by when an STI is caught early. If an STI is left for too long it can become very serious and there is always a chance of passing the infection to your partner(s).
To find out more contact Teen Talk at 784-4010 or e-mail: teentalk@klinic.mb.ca
* PS volutnteers work collaboratively with Teen Talk staff, guidance counselors and/or a public health nurse in order to provide accurate info.