How to recognise, assess and manage risk
Anti-social behaviour
It may be difficult to recognise your own anti-social behaviour. What may seem like a laugh to you may come over as annoying or intimidating to others.
Think: Is my behaviour affecting other people? Does it interfere with their comfort or enjoyment of what they are doing?
Drug abuse
Just because your friends are doing something doesn’t mean it is safe. Make sure you understand exactly what the dangers are with drug and substance abuse. Make sure you aren’t risking your health just so you don’t feel left out.
Think: What damage will drugs do to my mind and body? I need to think for myself and find out.
Sexual activity
Some sexual activity is part of growing up, but be careful. Teenage pregnancy can make life extremely difficult and sexually transmitted diseases are a real threat.
Think: How prepared am I for sex? Do I understand the risks or am I just too scared to ask?
Self-harm
When some people self-harm, they may want to end their life. However, according to the NHS, not everyone who self-harms wants to do this. Some people describe their self-harm as a way of staying alive by responding to or coping with severe emotional distress.
There are organisations that offer support for people who self-harm, including The Samaritans, Mind, Harmless, The National Self Harm Network, and YoungMinds.
Think: What other ways can I relieve the pain inside me? Can I speak to a specialist counsellor?
Dangerous dieting
Our world gives body image more importance than it should. It is easy to believe that we are overweight, even when our weight is healthy. Follow the advice of your doctor, and enjoy eating. It’s one of life’s great pleasures.
Think: Is the way I look so important that I should risk my health?
Compulsive over-eating
The world can be a scary and stressful place. Eating, on the other hand, is one of our most pleasant experiences.
Some of us retreat into eating when the world gets too much. The problem is that stress can lead to dangerous weight gain.
Think: What am I feeling when I eat when I’m not hungry? How can I deal with those feelings effectively?
Dangerous driving
A car can be a lethal weapon. Joy riding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs makes you a menace to society, at risk of killing yourself or others.
Think: Getting behind the wheel of this car could put me in jail or in hospital. Do I really want that to happen?
Misuse of social media
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat help us keep in touch with our friends, trends and the news. They’re amazing social tools. But be careful. The images and messages that you post may be there forever.
Even a Snapchat can be captured and saved. Offensive, sexist, racist and pornographic content could cost you friends, a job or your freedom.
Think: Would I be happy for everyone to see what I am posting on social media? Should I think again?