News Release - Let's Talk Month: Sexual health conversations with youth

Let's Talk Month is a national public education campaign created to encourage parents and caregivers to talk with youth about abstinence and sexuality. "Sexual health is a lifelong conversation," said Heather Alberda, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health. "We need to equip our youth and young adults with the tools they need to make healthy decisions about sex and sexuality. Be an askable adult."

• Parents are the best sexuality educators for their children.
• Teens consistently say that parents most influence their decisions about sex.
• Parents want to be good sex educators, but may not always know how.
• It is possible to be an "askable" adult.

The 2017 Ottawa County Youth Assessment Survey states that among 12th graders who reported ever having oral sex or sexual intercourse, their average age was 15 ½ the first time.    By 12th grade, 45% of students had engaged in oral sex, 42% in sexual intercourse and 31% in sexting.    LEARN MORE

Need help starting the conversation? Do the Let's Talk Challenges listed below. More information at miOttawa.org/SexEd.   Parent Guide: Let's Talk Beyond the Birds and the Bees.

Contact:

Heather Alberda, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator
halberda@miottawa.org or 616-393-5774

Kristina Wieghmink, Public Information Officer
kwieghmink@miottawa.org or 616-494-5597