At Risk Behavior and how our teens can avoid it

There are always lingering pressures when it comes to making the right life choices, and these decisions feel especially overwhelming during the day-to-day challenges of a teenager’s life. The challenges of navigating friendships, meeting family expectations, or maintaining a healthy balance between social media and real life can be all-consuming. Though, some of the more intense daily struggles can make a much larger impact on a student’s health and future. This is why it’s crucial to understand what “at-risk behaviors” are, and more importantly, how to avoid them.

So, What Is At-Risk Behavior?

At-risk behaviors are actions that increase the likelihood of negative health outcomes in physical, emotional, and social capacities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are six critical risk areas that significantly affect youth health in the U.S.:

1.        Alcohol and drug use

2.        Injury and violence

3.        Tobacco use

4.        Poor nutrition

5.        Lack of physical activity

6.        Sexual activity

These behaviors potentially lead to long-term health problems, including chronic disease, addiction, unplanned pregnancy, and mental health struggles. However, the most effective way to avoid any number of these issues is to avoid risky behaviors.

Why All Forms of Risk Avoidance Matters

Teens today face many pressures, but one of the most prevalent challenges is taking risks in sexual activity. Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) is an evidence-based approach that helps students make healthy, informed decisions by teaching them self-worth, the power of choice, and the ability to set meaningful goals that encourage empowerment, not shame.

However, sex isn’t the only risk teens face, as exposure to both violence and drug use carry serious consequences. Many teens are exposed to violence, either by witnessing it or experiencing it themselves, which can lead to mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Additionally, peer pressure can play a large role in all aspects of at-risk behavior. Friends could be fighting, using drugs, or encouraging risky sexual behavior, which makes it hard for teens to stand their ground. Studies show that teens are more likely to make those same choices if they believe they will win their friend’s approval. All choices carry the potential for serious consequences, but that risk is reduced when individuals understand their self-worth. This is why having supportive mentors and real conversations about these risks matters. With the right support, teens can make strong choices, even when it’s tough.

Real-Life Data from Clark County

Data from Clark County’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys reveal how prevalent and urgent these issues are for teens in our local community. 

Middle School Students:

·      47% have been in a physical fight

·      21% have seriously considered suicide; two-thirds of which were girls. 

·      19% have tried alcohol; 8% have used marijuana.

·      24% reported they could access a loaded gun within 10 minutes.

High School Students

·      36% felt sad or hopeless for at least two consecutive weeks

·      28% have had sexual intercourse, but only 16% used a condom the last time. 

·      39% tried alcohol; 24% used marihuana; 10% misused prescription painkillers.

·      28% lived with someone who struggled with substance abuse.

Though these statistics are powerful, they are more than just numbers. They reflect real students who face real challenges every day.

YOU MATTER – And So Do Your Choices

Perhaps one of the most important lessons for students to understand is that they matter simply because they exist, and when they truly believe in their own worth, they’re more likely to make healthy empowered choices. Everyone has unique gifts the world needs, and by recognizing this, teens are more likely to avoid risky behaviors like drugs, unsafe sex, or violence. 

Mentors and educators like those in our Real-Life Choices program, play a crucial part in this process, using compassion, patience, and real connection to reach students beyond just facts and warnings. They help young people see that saying “no” sometimes takes courage, that it’s okay to walk away, and that choosing the right path – even when it’s unpopular – is a powerful act of self-respect. Avoiding risky behaviors