Skip to main content

Health Advocacy

Another week and more snow in New Jersey. It is not uncommon for families to experience injuries, illnesses, and other incidents during these weather conditions. We need healthcare to treat any incident. With or without incidents, youth and young adults also have physical, mental, or sexual health needs. And it is important for youth and young adults to start developing health advocacy skills. 

The youth or 'chatters' shared their experiences at the doctor's office. And they all experience a trip to the doctor's office differently, but they all have questions to ask their doctor. But this is not always easy to do if another person is speaking for them.

Teens and young adults are known to be nervous or having trouble asking personal questions. It is important to create a relationship with your doctor. A tip is to write your questions ahead of time for your doctor to answer. There are options for healthcare if there are issues to access, check out the following options:

● Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)

New Jersey’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) offer a wide range of health care services for the entire family. You don’t need health insurance to get care at a center. Centers serve the uninsured and underinsured, as well as patients with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. If you’re uninsured, your bill will be based on your ability to pay. No one has ever turned away for lack of funds. Search for Federally Qualified Health Centers here: https://healthapps.state.nj.us/fhs/cphc/cphcSearch.aspx

● Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is a health care provider specializing in reproductive and sexual healthcare. Through pregnancy prevention, STD prevention, and sex education, Planned Parenthood empowers teens to make informed choices and lead healthy lives. With 28 offices in New Jersey, there is most likely one close to where you live.

● Mental Healthcare

NJ Children's System of Care has connections with many different types of supports if you or someone you know needs help. You can see all they have to offer by visiting here: https://www.performcarenj.org/youth/index.aspx

Are there any health-related resources you'd like to share? Do you have any questions about the resources we shared? Let us know in the comments below! 

*Next week's chat, we will have Atif Deen as a guest speaker. He is a YASA board member who will be asked panel-style questions on Self-Led IEP. He is a young adult with a disability that has advocated for his needs at work, school, and healthcare. 

The SPAN youth chat is under 'Resources' to register. Share with your family, friends, and co-workers to join us! 

Author,

Jeremy Hayer

*This section has been edited due to a change of events. The SPAN youth chat will still be hosted this upcoming Wednesday, but there will be no guest speaker. 

Resources:

  1. The SPAN Youth Chat: the-span-youth-chat

  2. Mental Health: https://www.performcarenj.org/youth/index.aspx

  3. The CDC-Different COVID-19 Vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html

  4. Youth-Focused Videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGXju3IK5UOWXGDV1Fzfrc2DJuDDqOKTu

  5. Subscribe to SPAN's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SPANAdvocacy

  6. Link to SPAN's website: https://spanadvocacy.org/

  7. Link to SPAN’s Youth In the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know

  8. We’re here for you!  Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rutgers RWJMS Seeks Children and Young Adult Participants in Long COVID Study

RECOVER is a research project that aims to learn about the long-term health effects of COVID. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) has been awarded a $30 million+ grant from the NIH to help lead a study on the long-term and delayed impacts of COVID-19 in children and young adults. This study is designed to answer these questions: -How many children get Long COVID? -Why do some children get Long COVID and others do not? -What symptoms do children feel when they get Long COVID? -How long do children feel sick when they get Long COVID? -What causes Long COVID to happen in children? -How does having Long COVID affect children's physical and mental health and development as they grow? Eligible subjects include infants, children, adolescents, and young adults through 25 years of age. Infection with COVID is not necessary to participate. The study's first phase includes a home questionnaire and blood and saliva samples provided from the comfort of your h
Post a Comment
Read more

Paid Opportunity! NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development (NJDOL)

The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) is the state's agency for protecting, improving, and guiding the state's workforce or workers. Here is an exciting and unique paid opportunity for youth and young adults to participate in that mission.  Applicants or interested participants will take a hands-on approach to support the development of NJDOL's digital career tools and provide feedback.  The spots are limited, so please contact Johan Mora Valverde at  jmora-valverde@spanadvocacy.org  for more information. If you are under 18, have a parent or guardian, or need support at any age, forward or share this opportunity. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Hobbies to Try in 2024

Hobbies are a way to relieve anxiety, use free time, and exercise for physical or mental health. Unique hobbies go as far as building skills and talents.  How hobbies can improve your mental health- Feelgood Health   The Feelgood Health YouTube channel hosts a series, "Feelgood Health MythBusters," to examine truths and rumors surrounding health issues in the medical community. The effects of hobbies on one's mental health also dispel myths surrounding mental health and mindfulness.  Check out the video here:
Post a Comment
Read more