My 15-year-old just doesn’t seem like himself lately. He used to hang out with friends. Now he spends all his time in his room playing video games. Is he depressed? Is he being bullied? Or is it something else entirely? Maybe this is just typical teen stuff, but I’m not sure what to do!
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Call the MNPS Health Care Centers at 615-259-8755 to make an appointment for your teen.
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Why an annual visit is vital for your teen
Vaccine requirements tend to lighten up as kids get older. As a result, making an appointment for that annual exam often drops off parents’ radar. Don’t let this happen in your family.
A yearly checkup is a good way to:
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| Screen for mental health issues. Many mental health conditions start showing up during adolescence. Screening and resources for depression, anxiety and other conditions can literally be lifesavers.
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Mitigate risky behavior. Health practitioners can talk to kids about alcohol and tobacco use, drug use and sexual activity starting in middle school. After all, these high-risk behaviors are starting younger and younger. Kids may be relieved to know they can ask an expert the questions that are on their minds.
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Share safety concerns. A provider can talk with your teen about safety, especially when it comes to cars. For example, she can remind your teen about wearing a seatbelt, putting down the phone, and not drinking and driving (or getting in the car with a driver who has been drinking).
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Address body image. Many teens are preoccupied with their appearance. The pressure to be thin from mainstream and social media can lead to low self-esteem and unhealthy behaviors. A practitioner can offer a healthy dose of nutrition advice and exercise recommendations.
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Get them vaccinated. Yes, adolescents still need vaccines, just not as many as younger children. These include meningococcal, Tdap, HPV and a flu shot. You may also want to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Discuss sexual health. Our practitioners provide a trusting environment for your child and help him/her feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues, such as birth control, sexually transmitted diseases or other topics associated with growth and development.
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Pre-teen and teen years can be tough to navigate. Why not make them a little easier for your kid? (And for you, too!)
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Call the MNPS Health Care Centers at 615-259-8755 to make an appointment.
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Our clinics are staffed with board-certified Vanderbilt nurse practitioners under the supervision of a physician medical director. To learn more about us, visit MNPSHealth.org.
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