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A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Victorian government portal for older people, with information about government and community services and programs.
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Young people have to work through a broad range of issues as they move from childhood to adulthood...
Youth Central journalist Soren Frederiksen asks young people what they think is the limit for safe drinking and comes up with some interesting results...
If you are worried about your alcohol or drug use or, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 for counselling, information and referral, or speak with your local doctor...
Young people can feel sad and worried about life events but with depression, the feelings of sadness go on for weeks or months and affect everyday life...
FReeZA supports young Victorians to get involved in community life through planning and staging drug, alcohol and smoke-free music and cultural events for other young people in their local community...
The end of a growth spurt may trigger a drop in appetite, so don't immediately assume that your child is trying to lose weight...
Recognising that your child has a mental health problem and seeking professional support are important first steps to take...
Everyone's immunisation needs are different and are influence by your health, lifestyle, age and occupation...
It is important to create a safe environment at parties so that everyone can have fun. Staying safe means avoiding injury or assault, not hurting anyone else, and not ruining an event or...
Adjusting to the many changes that happen around puberty can be difficult for both parents and young people...
Accept that your adolescent may have a different view of the world and respect their opinions...
Even though you are caring for someone else, it is important that you remember to take care of yourself...
There are many subsidised and free medical, dental, mental, community health services available to support young people in Victoria...
Growing pains may cause a lot of pain but they are harmless and can respond to simple treatments...
Babies and young children do not usually grow in a perfectly smooth way, but instead grow in 'bursts'...
Sleep research suggests that teenagers need between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night...
It is helpful to imagine assertiveness as the middle ground between aggression and passivity...
Parents can help with bullying by supporting their child and involving the authorities to find solutions...
Cyberbullying (or online bullying) happens when technology is used to bully someone...
Internet addiction refers to the compulsive need to spend a lot of time on the Internet, to the point where relationships, work and health suffer...
A child's digital footprint can be as easy to follow as their real footprints...
Teach your child strategies for responding to mobile phone bullying...
Peer groups can be a very positive influence on your teenager's life...
Receptive language disorder means the child has difficulties with understanding what is said to them...
Starting tertiary studies can be challenging and stressful, but your institution can provide counselling and other support services...
Nutrition basics, life stages, food safety, diet and health conditions, nutritional advice and vitamins and supplements...
Some people diet because they have a poor body image, not because they want to be a healthy weight...
Children who skip breakfast may lack sufficient vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B2...
If you eat and enjoy fruit and vegetables every day, your child may eventually follow your lead...
Often, an eating disorder develops as a way for an adolescent to feel in control about what's happening in their life...
Simple ways to make your child's school lunch healthier...
A good balance between exercise and food intake is important to maintain a healthy body weight...
Nutritionist Shane Bilsborough shows us how much energy it takes to burn off a fast food lunch. Join tradies, Corky and Danny as they find out how to maintain a healthy weight...
Healthy foods that are great for school lunch boxes...
By planning ahead, you can make sure that your child's lunch box has each of the six key elements of a healthy lunchbox...
Encourage children to help choose and prepare their own healthy snack or lunch...
Most of us are prone to the odd snack or two. Check out these simple tips to keep your snacks on track...
The main thing is to choose physical activities that you enjoy and that you can stick to in the long term...
Physical activity is an important part of health and wellbeing, and girls should remain active as they grow up...
Former world aerobics champion, Sue Stanley shows us how to overcome common exercise excuses...
Make sure that some family outings offer opportunities for physical activity, such as playing sport together...
A sports injury may be more severe than you think...
Body mass index or BMI is an approximate measure of your total body fat...
Once children are overweight, it takes a lot of effort for them to return to a healthy weight...
If your child is overweight, you can help by making healthier lifestyle choices for yourself...
With a balanced eating plan, it's what you leave in that makes all the difference...
Alcohol is responsible for most drug-related deaths in the teenage population...
Don't give up if your plan doesn't work the first time...
Saying no can be hard. There are things you can do to make it easier...
Teenagers use drugs for similar reasons that adults do...
Partying at schoolies week can be fun, but you need to be aware of the risks, which can include accidents, robbery, violence and sexual assault...
Don't advertise a party via SMS or the internet to limit the risk of gate-crashers and violent situations...
Children are less likely to smoke if their parents do not smoke...
If you want to quit smoking, think about how much of your weekly income is going up in smoke...
All children are eventually exposed to drugs ‒ prescription medication, alcohol and tobacco, and sometimes illegal drugs too ‒ or to messages about drugs...
The pressure on young girls and boys to be physically perfect is creating an epidemic of children and teenagers with low self-esteem and negative body image. Reporter Flip Shelton introduces us to the...
Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Body image involves your thoughts, perceptions, imagination and emotions. It may have little to do with your actual appearance. Although body...
Give your child opportunities to appreciate their body for what it can do, rather than what it looks like...
The urge to diet or use other dangerous weight loss methods is almost always prompted by feeling unhappy with body shape or size...
It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time and occasional conflict is part of family life...
Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems...
Boys’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes. As you get older, and go through puberty, you become more aware of your body and how it compares with others. Boys’ bodies come in all shapes and sizes...
Puberty is a time when your body goes through lots of changes. It’s wonderful and exciting, and can sometimes feel overwhelming. This is the time your body changes from being a girl into being a woman...
Friendships are an important part of life, but many of us find it difficult to find, make or keep friends...
If you are leaving home, try to go on a positive note. Hopefully, your parents are happy about your plans and support your decision...
Partying is fun but being out of it on alcohol or drugs can put you at risk of unwanted or unsafe sex...
If you want to have your body pierced, choose an experienced, registered practitioner to reduce the risks of infection and scarring...
It is normal to have mixed feelings about having sex with someone else...
Throughout your life, the number and strength of your relationships affect your mental and physical wellbeing. The benefits of social connections and good mental health are numerous. Proven links...
If you want to get a tattoo, choose an experienced, registered practitioner to reduce the risks of infection and scarring...
It is not difficult to avoid catching sexually transmitted infections (STIs)...
Bisexuality is when a person finds men and women physically, sexually or emotionally attractive...
There is no real explanation as to why some men are gay and others are not; it is just part of the wide variety of human sexuality...
Many women report they have lesbian experiences or feelings, but do not think of themselves as lesbians...
Sexuality is not about whom we have sex with, or how often we have it. Sexuality is about our sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people. We can find other people...
The menstrual cycle is complex and is controlled by many different glands and the hormones that these glands produce...
Oral sex is using your mouth, lips or tongue to stimulate your partner’s genitals or anus. Both men and women can give and receive oral sex...
Your gender is what feels natural to you, even if it is different from your biological sex. Some people may not feel comfortable with their biological sex but choose to live with the gender with which...
Most girls start puberty around 10 years old, but it can be earlier or later than that. Your body will go through big changes as you change from a girl into a young woman. For some girls (and women...
Visit the school before the school year starts ... 10 tips to prepare your child for high school...
Supporting a student with a chronic illness requires a 'whole school' approach...
Stress is a common issue for all tertiary students, but there are lots of ways to manage your stress...
Help your child manage stress during exams by getting them to use good study habits, eat well, exercise, relax, sleep and keep things in perspective...
Some immunisations are recommended for all Australian teenagers...
Too many children are physically, sexually and emotionally abused and when this happens, it is up to adults to speak up...
Acne is common and can make people of all ages feel embarrassed, but treatments can help if acne is causing distress...
Asthma affects about one in ten teenagers in Australia...
Many parents worry when their child with diabetes starts or returns to school...
Eating disorders are a mental illness and can affect women and men of all age groups...
Glandular fever is most common among high school and university students, but young children can also become infected by saliva on toys, shared cups, or the hands of carers...
A teenager may be deeply upset by a traumatic event, but not share their feelings with their parents...
Teenagers may turn to friends rather than parents for support in times of trauma and distress...
All suicide threats are serious. You don't have to be a trained professional to help a person contemplating suicide...
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From routine illnesses to more complex health problems, a GP can help with a huge range of health issues at all stages of your life. Learn more about the pros and cons of having a regular GP.
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Need more fruit and vegetables in your diet, find out how you can include them in your cooking.