Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

We’re All Needed in the Fight to Protect Trans Young People

This Transgender Day of Remembrance, let’s honor those we’ve lost and redouble our commitments to giving trans young people the affirming support and care they need to thrive. Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 14, 2024 Immediately following Transgender Awareness Week, … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

The Invisible Struggle: Hidden Disabilities and the Challenges of Being a Woman of Color in Leadership

To create safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for all, the systems we operate within must recognize and support us as whole individuals with diverse needs and experiences. Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP October 3, 2024 T here’s an invisible battle many … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Our Must-Haves for Working Remotely

Cue the music, *these are a few of my favorite things!* By Sam Akers August 22, 2024 As of August 2023, 1 in 5 workers were working remotely. People love telework for a lot of different reasons! I’ve been working … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

To Be Who They Are. To Live. To Thrive. These Are the Basic Human Rights Denied to Nex Benedict. 

The assault on Nex Benedict was not unprecedented. It was precedented by the hateful rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, pushed through by extremists in Oklahoma, and across the country.  By Gina Desiderio Updated March 14, 2024 The latest update on the cause … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Protecting Transgender Youth and Young Adults in Maryland

Get the latest scoop on the Trans Health Equity Act in Maryland and what you can do to show up for the trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive young people—and adults—in your life. By Mariah Cowsert August 31, 2023 While Pride month … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

How to Use Storytelling as a Vehicle for Social Change

6 Storytelling Lessons Learned while Creating the Casey Young Parents Stories. By Patricia Natalie, MA June 8, 2023 When I first joined Healthy Teen Network in March 2022, my first project was to “create stories about young parents that can … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Beyond Sexual & Reproductive Health: Linking Young People to Mental Health Resources

Whether it is crisis hotlines, toolkits, trainings, or support groups, there are ways to get youth connected to mental health resources today. By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES March 6, 2023 Many years ago, I still remember being introduced to a … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Supporting Youth Safety and Wellness in Sex Ed

Resources and information from a recent True You Maryland training to help support the mental health and safety of your students. By Allison Tomai Felsen January 5, 2023 Talking about sexuality in the classroom can be awkward! We’ve all been … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

I Have Monkeypox—Here’s Where I’m Getting the Public Health Information I Need

Finding affirming, sex-positive, complete, and up-to-date information on monkeypox isn’t easy. Here’s a story about some of my sources, expected and unexpected, and the power of queer friendship. By Nicholas Sufrinko August 11, 2022 Information that’s as incomplete as it … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

What’s Next in the Endless Attack on Our Rights and Freedoms? 

Our freedom, our rights, are being restricted by a radical minority that does not represent the majority of Americans. By Gina Desiderio June 27, 2022 Like many of you, here at Healthy Teen Network, we’re feeling the weight of the … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Anti-Fat Bias Is Pervasive and Insidious: Combating Its Harm in Sexual Health & Education

“Every time we point out stigma and name it as unfair, it loses its validity, and in turn, its power.” By Yesi Llerenas Daniel (they/elle) By Maria Peñas (she/her) Educators with Responsible Sex Education Institute June 27, 2022 Content Warning: This blog … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Reclaiming Your Sexuality After Trauma

This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, let’s emphasize survivors’ right to joy and pleasure after sexual trauma. By Mariah Cowsert April 15, 2022 I remember learning about it during welcome week at my tiny liberal arts college in the form of cheesy … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

We Found Love in a COVID Place

Alexa, play We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris By Mariah Cowsert January 13, 2022 It all started with a message on a dating app. Once our conversations got longer, we moved from messaging in the app to texting … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

GSAs Are Where LGBTQ+ Youth & Allies Come Together

With more youth feeling free to live their authentic sexualities and build relationships that reflect that, it’s up to educators and youth-supporting professionals to keep up momentum for supporting LGBTQ+ young people in schools By Mariah Cowsert June 30, 2021 … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

On and Off the Field: How Title IX Protects the Rights of All Young People

Anyone who works in schools, or with students in other educational settings, can benefit from learning more about Title IX protections. By Mariah Cowsert June 24, 2021 When you hear “Title IX,” your mind likely goes first to sports. Indeed, … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Adolescents & the COVID-19 Vaccine

Well visits are a good venue for routine and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a variety of important screenings and assessments May 19, 2021 With the decline in routine pediatric immunizations and well-child visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Teen … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

“Not [explicative] normal:” Crafting Group Agreements for Good Colleagues during COVID-19

One year into all-remote work, Allison and Nick reflect on some ground rules they and Healthy Teen Network staff are committing to for working during these strange times. By Allison Tomai Felsen By Nicholas Sufrinko March 17, 2021 Let’s face … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

10 Ways to Help Young People Become Good Sexual Citizens: How Myth Busting and Youth Empowerment Increases Safety

Following these steps is a really effective way to guide young people towards becoming good sexual citizens. By Ellen Friedrichs, MA March 12, 2021 Recently, I was Zoom teaching a college class, and I asked my students to share any … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Love in the Time of COVID

Well, really, relationships, love, and intimacy… By Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP February 11, 2021 Worldwide, the pandemic has brought unexpected changes in the ways in which we work, learn, play, and love. I feel that in many ways, I am … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Self-Care for Stressful Times

In the midst of a global pandemic and stressful times, we must remember that if we arent caring for ourselves, we can’t keep caring for everything else. By Carol Partonen August 12, 2020 It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Sex Education as Violence Prevention

In addition to violence prevention, comprehensive sex education is a powerful vehicle for addressing reproductive justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ equality, and power and oppression. By Rebekah L. Rollston, MD, MPH May 27, 2020 It’s #SexEdForAll month, yet most people still believe sex … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

This May, and Every Day, We Demand #SexEdForAll! For All Young People. For All Times. For All Places. (2020)

Schools might not be open during the pandemic. This doesn’t mean that students should miss out on comprehensive sex education. By Gina Desiderio May 4, 2020 A global pandemic, mandated stay-at-home orders, and extended periods of being isolated can shine … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Organizations Issue Call to Action for Sex Education (2020)

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Coronavirus and the Lack of Access to Abortion

 During the pandemic, many places are deeming abortion a “non essential” service. We know that abortion is essential healthcare. By Minyan Watson-Faulkner April 16, 2020 D uring the COVID-19 crisis, I have heard so many different things around what is … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Help Young People Make a Game Plan for Their Health with Volt20

We wanted to create a virtual tool that educators and students love. The goal is to help young people create a plan for a healthy future. March 26, 2020 Looking for a way to engage the young people you work … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Education Legislation Will Empower Young People

Introduced during Sex Ed for All Month, education legislation will empower young people with information and access May 16, 2019 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act … Read More

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Groups Launch Sex Ed for All Month (2019)

Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

What’s in a Ribbon?

Do we need a ribbon to help support the cause of teen pregnancy prevention and supporting pregnant and parenting teens? Will a pervasive symbol help motivate people to support our cause? By Gina Desiderio February 8, 2012 Last week, the … Read More

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