JUST THE FACTS
July 2021 
Newsletter
FROM THE EXPERTS
The Things I Wish My 10-Year-Old Self Knew About Her Body
Laura Benn-Candor Health Education
It was fifth grade, and we were in the middle of one of those infamous Chicago winters. I was wearing an ugly turtleneck sweater that I was super self-conscious about. I felt even more self-conscious about it while I was getting sick in the hallway of my elementary school. To this day, my heart goes out to the janitor who had to clean my half-digested breakfast from the school’s carpeted hallways.
 
Needless to say, I went home sick, but I wouldn’t understand what I missed out on that day until my mid-twenties.
 
In November of 2019, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and while I’ve learned that this is an increasingly common diagnosis among young women across the globe, I struggled to understand why it took me until I was 25 to notice that something was wrong. 
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Did you know that 1 in 4 teens report that they have received a nude or partially nude photo on their phone?
Our Health Educator, Rachel talks about the importance of having conversations about sexting early and often with your young adults and that it is not ok to pressure or be pressured into sexting.
IN THE NEWS
Millions of Teens Experience Abusive Relationships. Here's How Adults Can Help
NPR

No parent imagines that teen dating violence could affect their child. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26% of women say they experienced intimate partner violence before they were 18. Shailaja Dixit, who works at Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE), a nonprofit that helps survivors of intimate partner violence, says adults need to acknowledge that teen dating violence is real.

Dating abuse can happen to anyone — it doesn't matter if the teen is a good student, plays sports or seems happy. A teen in an abusive relationship may not understand what's happening or have the experience to know what to do — so adults are critical.

Here are a few tips for adults who can help.
INTRODUCING OUR SEX & TECHNOLOGY PORTAL
We know technology is everywhere...but have you thought how technology has impacted how teens view themselves, sexuality and even sex? With the increase and access of use, so too demands the explanations about what it all means and the long term effects that may go along with technology.

Three areas to explore:
Sexting, Explicit Content and Social Media
AVAILABLE THIS FALL:
ALL-NEW TEEN SEXUAL HEALTH II
Coming this fall, we've added a new program to our sex education continuum. In Teen Sexual Health II students explore the far reaching impact of:

  • sexting
  • the importance of setting boundaries in relationships
  • the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship
  • the impact of alcohol or other drugs on sexual decision-making
  • the impact of sexually explicit pictures and video

With a focus on respect for self and for others, students are given ideas for conversation starters to help navigate boundary-setting and consent.
 
IN THE NEWS
Cannabis Use May Be Associated With Suicidality In Young Adults
National Institute on Drug Abuse

An analysis of survey data from more than 280,000 young adults ages 18-35 showed that cannabis (marijuana) use was associated with increased risks of thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation), suicide plan, and suicide attempt. These associations remained regardless of whether someone was also experiencing depression, and the risks were greater for women than for men. The study published online today in JAMA Network Open and was conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health. 

“While we cannot establish that cannabis use caused the increased suicidality we observed in this study, these associations warrant further research, especially given the great burden of suicide on young adults,” said NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., senior author of this study. “As we better understand the relationship between cannabis use, depression, and suicidality, clinicians will be able to provide better guidance and care to patients.” 
MEET THE TEAM
Maggie Lane - Health Educator
Maggie joined Candor as an intern, and joined the team in May 2021 as a part time Health Educator while continuing school to receive her nursing degree. She received her Bachelors of Science from Illinois State University in Community Health Promotion while minoring in both Wellness Coaching and Public Health. While at Illinois State, Maggie worked to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles to students through a variety of outreach programs. She's very passionate about educating young people on how to make their own positive and healthy life decisions in the future.
Candor Health Education