As a teen, you are starting to make your own choices and decisions about your health. Here are some tips about ways to
stay healthy so you can be your best in all the things you want to do:
See your doctor once a year for a check up. If you are sick, and are not getting better, if you are having sex, and having
symptoms of an infection (an STI–sexually transmitted infection), or you are just not sure, see your doctor right away.
Remember that your doctor is your partner for keeping you healthy. He/she is not there to “rat you out” or judge you.
HPSM has a list of doctors who are interested in taking care of teens. You can choose to see one of them—just let us
know by calling us, and we can help you make that connection.
Avoid peer pressure. Don't let friends pressure you into drinking or doing drugs. Your life, your choice.
Never drink and drive or ride with someone who's drinking and driving.
Natural highs are cool! Try exercise, sports, singing or art.
Spend time with family. Have at least one meal a day with your family.
Prevent STIs. Prevent pregnancy AND getting an STI by not having sex. If you do have sex, always use a condom, in
addition to other birth control.
Pregnant, or think you might be? If you are 2 weeks late—don’t wait. See a doctor for a pregnancy test. Free and
low-cost prenatal services are available to you, call 1-877-886-4297.
Car Safety. Always buckle up. And make sure everyone else in the car does, too. Save a life.
Depression. It’s common for teens to feel down, sad or blue sometimes. Life is changing a lot. School can be
demanding. There are boyfriend/girlfriend issues. There are friend issues in general. Parents can get on your
nerves. But if you are feeling down every day, are no longer interested in the things around you, find it hard
to get motivated, no longer feel like eating or just eat all the time, then you may be depressed. If you have
thoughts of hurting yourself or others, your feelings need to be dealt with urgently. There is help. If you
have been feeling down and blue and it is not getting better, call the ACCESS line at 1-800-686-0101 for help.
If you are planning to hurt yourself or others, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room. You are not alone.
LGBT Youth. We care about you and your needs. You need to get your yearly health check ups. When you do, please talk to your
doctor about any issues or concerns, especially if you are still questioning. Remember that there is help for depression—call
the ACCESS line at 1-800-686-0101. There is help for alcohol and drug dependence/addiction. You can quit smoking, and be a
healthier you. Things will get better.
Teens ages 12 to 18 years can see a doctor once a year for a free checkup. Get a checkup and receive two
free movie tickets to Century Theaters.
Call HPSM's health educator at 650-616-2170
en español
Protect Yourself. To prevent pregnancy and infections, always use a condom if you are having sex.
This should be used in addition to primary method of birth control (e.g., "the pill" or injections, etc).
Respect yourself. Avoid having sex with multiple partners. Multiple partners greatly increase your
risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Check 'em out. Ask your partner about past exposures to STIs. If your partner had a recent exposure
to STIs, avoid having sex with this person.
Talk to your doctor. Call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to an STI.
Pregnant, or think you might be? If you are 2 weeks late—don’t wait. See a doctor for a pregnancy test.
Free and low-cost prenatal services are available to you, call 1-877-886-4297.