FHN Counseling Connection
February 2016
Fostering Healthy Relationships in Teens
While much of our work with students is aimed at helping them achieve academic success, school counselors also play a vital role in students' healthy social-emotional development. High school is a time when many teenagers begin dating for the first time, and they may not know how to develop healthy relationships. Did you know that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month? With occasions such as Valentine's Day and prom season just around the corner, we would like to share some information about teen dating violence and healthy relationships.
Teenagers develop their ideas about romantic love from peers, adults in their lives, and the media. All too often, however, these influences suggest that violence in a relationship is normal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 9% of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last 12 months (CDC, 2011). Dating violence can also take place electronically, such as repeated texting or posting inappropriate pictures of a partner online.
Unhealthy, abusive, or violent relationships can have lasting negative consequences for youth, including:
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Engagement in unhealthy behaviors, including tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
- Involvement in antisocial behaviors
- Thoughts of suicide
- Increased risk for victimization during college
The FHN school counselors address the topic of healthy relationships as part of our comprehensive school counseling program. However, we encourage parents to also talk with their teen to explore his or her ideas about romantic love and what that looks like. The CDC has created a short video to help parents recognize the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship and learn how to talk with their teen about developing healthy, respectful relationships before they begin dating. We hope you find this information helpful. Please don't hesitate to contact your child's counselor if you have questions or concerns.
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Help keep FHN a Bully-Free Zone by reporting concerns via our online bullying report form. Click here if you would like to report a concern. [Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net]
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Noteworthy News from the Counselors
- Students who applied for a 2016-17 program at Lewis & Clark Career Center will be notified of placement decisions around the week of March 7, 2016.
- St. Charles Community College is hosting an A+ Information Night for Seniors on March 8th and April 6th from 6-7:30 in the Auditorium of the Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building (on the SCC campus).
- A+ Sophomores and Juniors who would like to complete the 50-hour peer tutoring/mentoring requirement this summer should plan to attend the A+ Tutor Meeting on April 11 from 2:30-3:15 in the Auditorium.
- So you want to go to college? Parents and students in grades 8-12 are invited to join us for an evening of college planning and exploration on April 26, 2016 from 6-8:00pm. An informational presentation will take place at 6:00 in the FHN Auditorium, followed by a College Fair from 7-8:00. Representatives from 2-year, 4-year, public, and private colleges and universities will be present to provide information and answer questions.
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Website: http://fhsdfhn.sharpschool.net/guidance
Location: Francis Howell North High School, Hackmann Road, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Phone: (636) 851-4900
Facebook: facebook.com/fhnguidance
Twitter: @FHNGuidance