Today’s students are growing up in a world of nonstop information, social media influence, and pressure from every direction. They may hear messages about relationships, sex, pregnancy, mental health, nutrition, and their bodies from friends, TikTok, YouTube, and online searches long before they feel comfortable talking with a trusted adult.
That’s why your voice matters.
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to be a safe, trusted place for the conversation to begin.
Healthy choices start with accurate information, supportive relationships, and access to compassionate care. This resource is designed to help parents and students understand important health topics and know when it’s time to ask for help.
Start With a Conversation
You don’t need to sit down for one big, serious “talk.” In fact, short, honest conversations that happen naturally over time can often be more helpful.
Looking for simple ways to start?
Try asking:
- “What do students your age usually hear online or from friends about relationships, pregnancy, or health?”
- “You’ve had sex education and some health education. Is there anything you heard that made you concerned or curious?”
- Or simply say: “I want you to know that if you ever have questions or need help, you can always come to me.”
Conversation Tips
- Start with curiosity, not panic.
- Lead with interest, not assumptions.
- Keep the pressure low.
- Short, honest conversations often work better than one big talk.
- Listen all the way through.
- When students feel heard, they’re more likely to keep talking.
- Stay calm. Your tone can tell your student whether it feels safe to open up.
Your teen may not always show it, but knowing there is a trusted adult they can turn to can make a lasting difference.
Here are some specific and very important topics to either discuss with your kids and/or be aware of as parents.
Mental Health: Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Many teenagers experience periods of sadness, worry, irritability, stress, or feeling overwhelmed. Knowing when those feelings need additional support is important.
Talk with a trusted adult or healthcare provider if your student is experiencing persistent:
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Worry or irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Other significant changes in mood or behavior
Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness.
Early support can make a meaningful difference. Encourage your student to talk with someone they trust and remind them that they do not have to figure everything out alone.
Your Life Matters
If your student is thinking about hurting themselves or feels like the world would be better without them, take those statements seriously and don’t let them face those thoughts alone.
Talk with them, stay connected, and seek professional support.
In the United States, teens and families can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Teens can also text TALK to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor.
No matter how overwhelmed someone feels in the moment, help is available. Their life has value, and they do not have to face difficult moments alone.
Heart Health: Know the Warning Signs
Sudden cardiac events are rare, but they can be serious. Young athletes and their families should know which symptoms deserve prompt medical attention.
Tell a parent, coach, or healthcare provider if your student experiences:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fainting or nearly fainting, especially during exercise
- Unusual shortness of breath beyond what is expected for the activity
- A racing, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
- Unexplained dizziness
Don’t ignore symptoms that occur during or after exercise. When something feels unusual, it’s worth getting checked.
Concussion Safety
A concussion is a brain injury, and it can happen in any sport, not just contact sports.
Common signs can include:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Feeling “foggy”
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
If you think your student may have a concussion:
Stop playing immediately and tell a parent, coach, or other responsible adult.
A student should not return to play the same day after a suspected concussion. They should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare provider and follow a gradual return-to-school and return-to-sports plan.
When in doubt, sit them out.
Energy Drinks: They Aren’t Sports Drinks
Energy drinks are not the same thing as sports drinks.
Many energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants that may cause problems for young people, including increased anxiety, poor sleep, elevated blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms.
They are also not an appropriate substitute for hydration during sports.
Bottom line: Children and adolescents should avoid energy drinks.
For young athletes, focus on the basics: water, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and appropriate rest.
Nutrition & Hydration: Your Body Can’t Run on Empty
Young athletes need fuel to learn, grow, practice, compete, and recover.
Encourage a balanced diet that includes:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean protein
- Healthy fats
- Regular meals and snacks
Don’t skip meals—especially breakfast and pre-practice snacks.
A balanced diet generally provides the nutrients most young athletes need. Be cautious with supplements, since many supplements are not well regulated and some may contain ingredients that are unsafe or prohibited in sports.
Hydration matters, too. Encourage your student to drink water throughout the day. For longer activities, especially those lasting more than an hour, a sports drink containing electrolytes may sometimes be helpful.
After exercise, replacing fluids lost through sweating is important for recovery.
Sleep Is Part of Training
Sleep supports performance, recovery, concentration, emotional health, and injury prevention.
Recommended sleep amounts for young people include:
- Ages 11–13: 9–11 hours per night
- Ages 14–18: 8–10 hours per night
Help your student establish a consistent sleep schedule even on weekends when possible.
A simple place to start: put screens away at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
For young athletes, sleep isn’t wasted time. It’s part of the training and recovery process.
Prevent Overuse Injuries and Burnout
Not every sports injury happens because of one dramatic accident. Repetitive stress, inadequate recovery, and doing too much too quickly can contribute to overuse injuries.
Help your student protect their body by encouraging them to:
- Take at least 1–2 days off each week from organized sports.
- Take 2–3 months off each year from any one sport.
- Increase training gradually rather than doing too much too fast.
- Consider playing multiple sports instead of specializing too early.
- Pay attention to persistent fatigue, pain, or changes in motivation.
Talk with a healthcare provider if your student develops ongoing muscle or joint pain, constant fatigue, significant mood changes, or loss of motivation.
Rest is not quitting. Recovery is part of becoming a healthier athlete.
Hernia Awareness
A hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak area in the abdominal wall, often in the groin.
Watch for:
- A bulge in the groin or abdomen
- Groin pain, especially with lifting, coughing, or straining
- Persistent discomfort in the groin area
Hernias do not typically resolve on their own and may require medical treatment, including surgery.
Tell a parent or healthcare provider about a new groin bulge or persistent groin pain. Sudden severe pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting requires prompt medical attention.
Smoking and Vaping
Whether it involves nicotine or marijuana, smoking and vaping can affect a young person’s developing brain, lungs, and overall health.
Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect the developing teenage brain, including areas involved in attention, learning, and emotional regulation.
Marijuana can affect memory, learning, reaction time, and decision-making, particularly while the brain is still developing.
Vaping and smoking can harm the lungs, even when the effects aren’t immediately noticeable.
If your student is using nicotine, marijuana, or other substances, approach the conversation with curiosity and concern rather than shame. Your goal is to keep communication open and help them access appropriate support.
Sexual Health & STI Prevention
Teenagers may have questions about sexual health long before they feel comfortable asking them.
A healthcare visit can provide a confidential, supportive opportunity to ask questions and get accurate information.
Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not cause noticeable symptoms. Someone can have an STI without knowing it and potentially pass it to someone else.
Untreated STIs can sometimes lead to serious long-term health problems. Some STIs can be treated and cured, while others can remain lifelong conditions that require ongoing management.
If your student is sexually active, talking with a healthcare provider about testing and prevention is an important part of taking care of their health.
Accurate information helps young people make informed decisions.
Pregnancy: Getting Answers Early Matters
If your student thinks they could be pregnant, getting accurate information early can help them understand what is happening and make informed decisions.
A home pregnancy test can be a useful first step, but a healthcare provider can provide additional evaluation and support.
Depending on the situation, medical evaluation may include pregnancy testing and ultrasound to help determine how far along a pregnancy is and whether it is developing in the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus and can become a medical emergency.
Seek prompt medical care for concerning symptoms during a possible pregnancy, especially severe abdominal or pelvic pain, significant bleeding, dizziness, or fainting.
If you or your student has questions about pregnancy, LaVie Health is here to provide information, compassionate support, and a safe place to ask questions.
Questions? Call us at 406-652-4868.
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is an important part of reproductive and overall health.
Learning to recognize patterns in the menstrual cycle can help a young woman better understand her body and recognize changes that may deserve attention.
Cycle awareness can include paying attention to:
- Menstrual timing and patterns
- Changes in cervical mucus
- Other physical signs throughout the cycle
- Symptoms and changes that occur from month to month
Cycle tracking is about more than simply predicting a period. It can help someone become more familiar with their individual patterns and recognize when something has changed.
If your student notices significant or persistent changes in her cycle, talking with a healthcare provider can help determine whether further evaluation is needed.
Curious about cycle awareness or tracking? We can help.
Pornography and Healthy Relationships
Young people are growing up in an environment where pornography can be easily accessed online. Research and professional guidance continue to explore how pornography exposure and use may affect adolescents and their developing ideas about sex and relationships.
Pornography is entertainment—not education. It may create unrealistic expectations about bodies, intimacy, consent, sex, and relationships.
Rather than assuming your student knows how to navigate what they encounter online, create opportunities to talk openly about:
- Healthy relationships
- Respect and consent
- Realistic expectations about sex and intimacy
- Online safety
- The difference between entertainment and trustworthy health education
A calm, nonjudgmental conversation can give your student a place to ask questions and process what they encounter online.
For additional resources, families may explore organizations such as Pure Desire and Covenant Eyes.
You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers
Being a trusted adult does not mean knowing exactly what to say every time your student asks a difficult question.
Sometimes the best response is:
“I’m glad you asked me. I don’t know the answer, but we can find out together.”
Your student may remember the fact you shared, but they are also likely to remember whether they felt safe, respected, and heard.
When questions involve mental health, sexual health, pregnancy, injuries, substance use, or other sensitive topics, a qualified healthcare professional can provide accurate information and appropriate support.
Real Healthcare. Real People. Real Support. For Real Life.
At LaVie Health, we’re here for students and families, not just for appointments, but for the questions that come with growing up.
Whether your student has questions, needs answers, or simply wants someone to listen, we strive to provide compassionate, judgment-free care and education centered around them.
You have your student’s back. We’re here to have yours.
