1. Surviving “The Talk” Discussing Sexual Health with Adolescents Presented by:

2. Objectives: Introduce the Coalition for Sexual Health Discuss adolescent sexual health locally Offer tools for talking with youth Answer questions Welcome! Welcome

3. Chelsea Varnum, MEd Columbus Public Health Kristin Torres, MSW, LSW Syntero, Inc. Tammy Derden, MBA Nationwide Children’s Hospital Constance Dunlap, Mdiv Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio Presenters

4. Mission To promote, implement, evaluate, and improve science-informed sexual health education and programs for youth and young adults in Central Ohio through organized community efforts. Vision Central Ohio youth and young adults are educated and empowered to make responsible choices for their sexual health. Coalition for Sexual Health

5. Over 150 people connected Bi-monthly meetings – Networking – Capacity Building Working Committees: – Parent Engagement – Holistic Education Coalition for Sexual Health

7. How did you learn about sexual health as a teen? Who provided you with that information? Welcome! Reflection

8. Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections Pregnancy Prevention and Birth Control Healthy Relationships Consent Dating Violence What is it?

9. Personal Goals and Values Negotiating Pressure and Influence Self-Esteem Navigating Healthcare as an Adult Communication Skills What is it?

10. Critical Thinking Helping young people learn how to navigate important decisions Values Clarification Showing the importance of taking time know yourself and what you want in life Personal Responsibility Ownership in healthy behaviors Benefits

11. Youth represent 27% of the sexually active population But contract nearly half of all new STIs Why is it important? Source: Center for Disease Control

12. 60% of teens that are HIV positive are not aware of their status Most STIs will not show symptoms 1/3 of adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner Source: Center for Disease Control, Love is Respect Why is it important?

13. Sexual Health Source: STD Surveillance Program, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD, and TB, 2013 Franklin County for ages 15-19: Chlamydia: 2,376 diagnoses, 30% of all cases Gonorrhea: 708 diagnoses, 24% of all cases HIV: 15 diagnoses, 7% of all cases Syphilis: Outbreak Why is it important?

14. Source: Columbus Public Health

17. Teens consistently report parents/care takers as the most important influence in their sexual health. Influence Source: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy

18. Good communication, and appropriate firmness, result in teens with: Higher self-reliance and self-esteem Improved communication about sexual health Delayed sexual behaviors Increased use of protection and birth control Fewer sexual risk behaviors Welcome! Influence Source: Advocates for Youth

19. How to have (and continue to have) “the talk” B.L.I.S.S. Welcome! The Talk

20. Three steps: B. – Believe L. I. – Limited Information S.S. – Specific Suggestions Welcome! B.L.I.S.S

21. Believe: Believe that you are capable of having this conversation Believe that they are ready for the information Listen to make sure that you are hearing the question Welcome! B.L.I.S.S.

22. Limited Information Only answer the question that they are asking “Don’t explain the universe when they ask about a star” Don’t overwhelm them with too much Continue to clarify that this is what they are asking about Welcome! The Talk

23. Specific Suggestions Help them to make a plan for what they would like to do Provide resources if appropriate Help them to connect the conversation to their sense of self and their values Welcome! The Talk