Being a teenager is not easy. Physical changes and emotional ups and downs caused by increases in hormones create a unique set of circumstances. Dealing with parents, school and peers can be difficult at times. Adding to these issues are the unrealistic expectations of society and the media. Knowing where to get information to help handle these problems is not easy.

Teen Talk was created to help Jersey County teens cope with the teen years. Parents, teachers, and others who spend time with teens will find this site will help them, too!

Teen Talk was created by Jersey County Health Department and reviewed by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Family Planning Advisory Group. The advisory group is made up of members from the community, social service and health agencies in Jersey County. We hope this site will help Jersey County teens and others find the help they need to lead happy, healthy lives.

For more information call Jersey County Health Department at 618-498-9565
or by e-mail at jchdhealth@gtec.com.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment

Tri-County Counseling 618-498-9587 or 1-800-590-8222
Wells Center 217-243-1871
Alcohol-Drug Treatment Referrals National (24 Hours) 1-800-966-DRUG (5784)

Health Care

Jersey County Health Department 618-498-9565, ext. 302 or 325

Family Planning

Free Pregnancy Testing

Teen Parent Services

Immunizations

STD/HIV Testing

Southern Illinois Health Care Center 618-463-5905
HIV/AIDS Hotline 1-800-243-2437
National STD Hotline 1-800-227-8922

Counseling/Mental Health

Tri-County Counseling 618-498-9587 or 1-800-590-8222
Catholic Charities 618-462-0634
National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Thursday’s Child National Call Center for At-Risk Youth 1-800-872-5437

Education

Jersey CUSD#100 618-498-5561
Adult Learning Center (GED program) 618-498-6874
Lewis and Clark Community College Project READ 217-556-8354
Jerseyville Public Library 618-498-9514

Employment

The Job Center 618-498-1778

Family Violence

Oasis Women’s Center 618-498-4341
Domestic Violence Help Line 1-877-TO END DV (1-877-863-6338)

Sexual Abuse

Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault

24-Hour Hotline 217-753-8081

The recent increase in the number of pregnant teens in the U. S. should make parents and communities take notice. It is unclear if this increase in teen pregnancy is a trend that will continue. No matter what the trend is, it is an opportunity for parents and communities to take action to prevent teen pregnancy.

Many parents think their teen would never have sex. The parent thinks the teen understands their position about teens having sex and teen pregnancy. But, the fact is teens often don’t have a clear message from parents. Parents often think peers or the media have more influence on their teen than they do. This is not true. It has been shown parents have more influence over teen behavior than peers or media. In fact, teens want parents to talk to them about sex.

Parents can have trouble getting started with “the talk” but there are resources out there to help them. Libraries and book stores have a variety of age appropriate materials on the subject of sex.

Two internet sources, Advocates for Youth and The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy, have many free resources for parents. Advocates for Youth at www.advocatesforyouth.org features “There’s No Place Like Home ….for Sex Education.” Parents can find age appropriate information on sex for children beginning at age 3 through high school.

The National Campaign at www.teenpregnancy.org provides “Ten Tips For Parents to Help their Children Avoid Teen Pregnancy.” There are other publications available providing facts about unplanned pregnancy, talking with teens about relationships and helping teens deal with peer pressure.

Communities need to be supportive of parents and teens. Economic factors, education, social resources, underage alcohol use and religion all affect the number of teen pregnancies. Creating a community that is supportive of parents, safe for children and inclusive of everyone can go a long way to reducing the rate of teen pregnancy.

To find out more about the issues affecting teen pregnancy, go to the web sites listed above. The Jersey County Health Department can provide local statistics about teen pregnancy and has resources to help parents. Call 618-498-9565, ext. 334 or e-mail jchdhealth@gtec.com.