Sexual Reproductive Health

Self-care Messages for Adolescents and Young People

Self-care for adolescents and young people is important for physical, social, and mental health for both boys and girls. It is important to note that self-care does not mean that you alone are responsible for your health. Your friends, family, community, and healthcare provider are there to support you and help you make the best decisions for your health and your friends and loved ones.

Self-care is important for adolescents and young people because it can help them manage stress, cope with challenges, and build resilience. Adolescence and young adulthood are times of great change and development, and young people can face a variety of stressors, such as academic pressure, social pressure, and relationship problems. Self-care can help young people cope with these stressors in a healthy way and maintain their overall well-being.

Parents, caregivers, teachers, and community members can play an important role in supporting self-care in adolescents and young people. This includes modeling healthy self-care behaviors, providing encouragement and support, and teaching adolescents and young people how to identify and manage their emotions in a healthy way.

Awareness Messages

1. It's normal not to be okay: You don't have to have everything figured out or to be happy all the time. Everyone can feel stressed, anxious, and sad at times. It's important to acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to feel them, even if they're uncomfortable.
2. You are not alone: Many adolescents and young people in our communities are going through similar situations. There are people who care about you and want to help. If you're struggling, talk to a trusted friend, parent, teacher, counselor, or other caring adults.
3. Take care of your physical health: This means eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep (6-8 hours), maintaining personal hygiene, and exercising regularly. When you take care of your physical health, you're better able to handle stress and cope with difficult emotions.
4. Do things you enjoy: Make time for activities that make you happy and relaxed. This could be spending time with friends and family, reading, listening to music, playing sports, or doing creative projects.
5. Say no: It's okay to say no to things/stuffs you don't want to do or commitments that will make you uncomfortable, such as sexual relationships, bad touches, using drugs and substances, or taking books to teachers' homes. It's important to set boundaries and prioritize your own needs.
6. Ask for help when you need it: There's no shame in asking for help when you're struggling (e.g., in academic performance, relationships, body changes, health conditions, bed-wetting). In fact, it's a sign of strength. If you're feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, talk to a trusted friend, teacher, adult, or seek professional help.
7. Avoid drugs and substance use: The use of addictive substances, including alcohol consumption, can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health.

Self-care Management

• Physical self-care: Keep your body active by engaging in physical activities such as going for a walk, running, dancing, or riding a bicycle; playing sports; digging, fetching water, slashing, doing housework. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga can help to reduce stress and improve mood.
• Mental self-care: Keep yourself mentally healthy by doing things you love to do such as reading a book, listening to music, taking a bath, spending time with nature, praying, or meditating.
• Emotional self-care: Feel free to talk to a trusted friend or family member, teacher, or a trusted community member about how you're feeling.
• Be kind to yourself: Everyone makes mistakes. It is normal to make mistakes. If you are feeling guilty, seek support from trusted friends or adults, teachers, trusted community member.
• Accept your body image: Appreciate your looks, body size, and shape. You’re wonderfully created in God’s image. Ignore negative statements about your body shape and size. There’s no imperfect body!
• Accept your socioeconomic status: There is no permanent situation, recognize and accept your family and personal financial and social status. Work hard at your studies which should give you a brighter future for you and your family. Childbirth is not the end; you can go back to school even after pregnancy.
• Build your creativity: Be creative by engaging in income-generating activities such soap-making, weaving, knitting, washing cars for money, rearing small animals.
• Poor performance at school is not the end of life: Discover your talent and strength and use it effectively.
• Ask for help when you need it: If you are struggling to cope with stress or challenges, talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or counselor.