Group Blog Home

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” The WHO stress that mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.” Peak mental health is about not only avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.

The 10 Tools for Living Mentally Healthy:
1. Connect with others
2. Stay positive
3. Get physically active
4. Help others
5. Get enough Sleep
6. Create joy and satisfaction
7. Eat well
8. Take care of your spirit
9. Deal better with hard times
10. Get professional help if you need it

Read more about how to incorporate these practices into your life here: MHA National.org/ten-tools

Never forget: Your mental health MATTERS.

Read more:

Top 10 Self Care Hacks for Your Brain: Strong365.org
The Relationship Between Sleep and Mental Health: TheDeepSleepco.com
8 Ways Setting Boundaries Improves Your Quality of Life: TheBalancedLifellc.com

Explore books & eContent regarding mental health:

Resources are also available at Aurora Mental Healt h.

Check back next month for our next Teen Talk!

Come join me every Thursday at 4 p.m. for our weekly Teen Hang at the Aurora Central Library. I'd love to meet you and hear about what topics you’d like featured.

Taylor's signature
-Taylor (she/her)

Posted by [email protected] On May 02, 2022 at 2:12 PM

Teen Talk: Sexual Health

Teen Talk. Photo of teens laughing together.

Hey teens, let’s talk! J

I'm Taylor, one of the Youth Services librarians at Aurora Central Library.



Each month at the Aurora Public Library, I cover a variety of topics for teens. This month’s blog is all about sexual health.

Swing by the Aurora Central Library's teen area to browse books, resources and activities related to the monthly topic.

April is STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Awareness Month! I didn’t know this, but it seems so fitting given that this month’s blog post is all about sexual health. Let me begin by saying sexual health is not only about preventing STDs — it encompasses a whole range of topics related to your changing body, sexual relationships and overall health.

Some of the things you will read in this blog post may be new to you, lead you to feel uncomfortable or awkward and have you asking more questions than you did before — and that is all okay! It’s normal. You are not alone in your feelings. This is a safe space.

Real talk: Growing up I did not have access to a lot of information regarding my sexual health. This left me feeling a sense of personal shame, confused and even stupid at times. It also affected my physical health, leading to a handful of STDs as well as an unplanned pregnancy. I hope this blog post will help you feel more informed regarding your health as well as capable of having a conversation with a trusted adult if you need more information and questions answered.

Graphic that reads Your Sexual Health Matters

Graphic that reads Your Sexual Health Matters

• KidsHealth.org has one of the most comprehensive lists I’ve seen regarding adolescent and teen sexual health. I’d highly recommend exploring this page to get some of your (potentially embarrassing) questions answered.

• Sex, etc. has a sex ed dictionary with almost 400 words you need to know. - https://sexetc.org/sex-ed/sex-terms/

Puberty
Puberty is a time of emotional and physical change. You can feel out of control and confused at what is happening inside of you. However uncomfortable, awkward and scary it may be these feelings will not last forever and are all part of normal growth and development.

Graphic of what happens during puberty

Resources about Puberty
· Puberty Topics (Videos)
· Everything You Wanted to Know About Puberty
· Puberty & Development Information
· Puberty 101

Masturbation
"What is it about masturbation that provokes such negative reactions from so many people? Shame, silence and stigma are common adult reactions to the topic.

Yet, the topic of masturbation is consistently mentioned in all the groups of students with whom I’ve worked. Students often ask if it is okay. Silence from adults communicates stigma to our young people: masturbation is shameful and taboo. So, young people learn not to talk about it. They hide their questions and behavior from the adults who love and care for them. Our children develop unhealthy attitudes about the ways their bodies work and feel during puberty.

[I]t is normal if someone does masturbate, and it is also normal if someone does not masturbate. Whether or not a person masturbates is an individual choice” (Wendy Sellers, 2016).

Masturbation: Totally Normal (Video)

Healthy Relationships
Graphic listing healthy signs and warning signs for relationships

Graphic listing healthy signs and warning signs for relationships

· Healthy Relationships
· 6 Simple Ways to Understand Consent (Video)
· Consent: What Does it Mean?
· How to Tell Your Partner What You’re Ready (or Not Ready) for Sexually

STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
STDs come with a lot of stigma and shame… Why? Despite what you may think, more people have had an STD at some point in their life than not.

While a handful of STDs are not a big deal if treated (usually just an antibiotic for a couple weeks), if left untreated they can severely impact your life. That is why it is important to get tested regularly if you are sexually active and communicate with any sexual partners you have.

· Free, Safe, & Confidential Testing
· Do You Have an STD? You're Not the Only One
· How To Tell Someone That You Have an STD or STI
· 10 Signs You May Have an STD or STI
· How Do Teen Couples Talk About STDs?

Pregnancy
Unplanned pregnancy can be scary and overwhelming. There are three options: raising the child, having an abortion or placing the child for adoption. It is important remember that there is no “right” option, each one is a choice — a hard one, but still yours to make.
· Pregnant?
· Experiencing an Unplanned Pregnancy? You have options.
· The Adoption Option
· Birth Mothers Share What They Want Adoptive Parents to Know

Birth Control
Chart showing how well various forms of birth control work

Chart showing how well various forms of birth control work

What’s the Best Birth Control for Teens?

***The most effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is by practicing abstinence -- meaning not having sex or any intimate genital contact (including anal sex or oral sex).***

Explore books & eContent regarding sexual health:

Check back next month for our next Teen Talk!

Come join me every Thursday at 4 p.m. for our weekly Teen Hang at Aurora Central Library. I'd love to meet you and hear about what topics you’d like featured.

Taylor's signature

-Taylor (she/her)

Posted by [email protected] On Apr 05, 2022 at 9:33 AM

Make & Learn: Matching

Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills.

In this video, Miss Lisa shares a fun and easy-to-make matching game.

Posted by [email protected] On Apr 27, 2021 at 1:03 PM

Make & Learn: Thumb Piano

Welcome to Make & Learn!
with Sara

In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills.

In this video, Miss Sara shares how to make a thumb piano, a fun way to encourage singing and practice fine motor skills.

Posted by [email protected] On Dec 17, 2020 at 8:23 AM

Make & Learn: Writing Practice

Welcome to Make & Learn!
with Julie

Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills. In this video, Miss Julie shares a fun and easy way to practice writing and strengthen fine motor skills.

Posted by [email protected] On Dec 03, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Make & Learn: Alphabet Spoon Game

Make & Learn: Alphabet Spoon Game
with Sara

Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills. In this video, Miss Sara shares a fun activity to encourage reading and play while supporting print motivation and letter knowledge.

This activity was inspired by an activity from 7 Days of Play. Thank you to Michelle for letting us share this activity! Visit 7 Days of Play for more fun ideas!

Posted by [email protected] On Nov 12, 2020 at 12:59 PM

Make & Learn: Coloring the Alphabet

Make & Learn: Coloring the Alphabet
with Sara

Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills. In this video, Miss Sara shares a fun craft to practice writing and encourage print motivation, print awareness and letter knowledge.

Posted by [email protected] On Oct 15, 2020 at 9:12 AM

Make & Learn: Reading Colors

Make & Learn: Reading Colors
by Karen

Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills. In this video, Miss Karen discusses disequilibrium and shares a game to practice reading colors words.

Posted by [email protected] On Oct 01, 2020 at 10:44 AM

HELLO: A is for Aphids

HELLO stands for Hand-on Early Literacy for Little Ones. In this program children will sing songs, work on fine and gross motor skills, learn about letters, numbers and science and develop early literacy skills. Ages 0-6.

Posted by [email protected] On Sep 24, 2020 at 1:46 PM

Make & Learn: Alphabet Fishing Game

Welcome to Make & Learn!
with Sara

In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills.

In this video, Miss Sara shares a fun fishing game that supports print awareness and letter knowledge.

Posted by [email protected] On Sep 18, 2020 at 2:01 PM

1 2