Personal Health Notes

Unit 2: Personal Health

Learning Intentions

  • Identify values and attitudes that promote healthy and active lifestyles.

  • Explore issues affecting young people.

  • Describe how harm minimization approaches can be used to reduce negative risk-taking.

  • Explain how to advocate for personal health outcomes.

What is a Risk?

  • A situation involving exposure to danger.

What is Risk Taking?

  • The action of taking risks.

Risk Taking - Notes

  • Risk-taking is the exposure to the chance of loss, injury, or gain.

  • Risk-taking can assist personal and social growth or it can put an individual's life in danger.

  • It is a natural part of growth as a person.

Personal Risks

  • Without risk, there is little advancement in human endeavor.

  • All risks involve your health to some extent.

  • We are exposed to personal risks and make decisions about them every day of our lives.

  • The health behaviors of young people are often dramatized in the media, with focus given to risk behaviors among the few.

  • The fact is the health behaviors of young people in Australia continue to get better as our determinants of health also improve for them.

Risk Taking Theory

  • Risk-taking means exposure to the chance of loss or injury or gain

  • Risk-taking may be positive or negative. For example:

    • Drug abuse is classified as negative risk-taking.

    • Adventure programs that improve self-esteem involve positive risk-taking.

Positive Risk

  • Makes a conscious decision to take a risk.

  • It is a voluntary decision not made under the influence of pressure

  • Is aware of the possible consequences and takes them into account.

  • Collects information that may be useful in minimizing the dangers

  • Takes steps such as acquiring new skills to minimize the risk.

Negative Risk

  • Acts impulsively or under pressure from others

  • Is not aware of the consequences or chooses to ignore them.

  • Does not try to minimize the risk in any way.

  • There is no clear decision-making process which considers potential loss or injury

Why Do Young People Take Risks?

  • Taking risks and pushing boundaries is common among young people and is a big part of growing up.

Reasons for Risk Taking

  • Ignorance or not thinking

  • Laziness

  • To make or save money

  • To show off

  • Commitment to an ideal

  • To avoid or reduce problems

  • To demonstrate competence and impress others

  • To achieve a sense of accomplishment

  • Associated thrill

  • Enjoyment

  • Lack of information or alternatives

  • Dismiss or ignore information because the validity & reliability of the source is questioned

  • Peer pressure

  • Rebellion

  • Under the influence of drugs

  • Mental illness / suicidal death wishes

  • Insecurity & low self-esteem

  • Loneliness desperation

  • Sensory overload

  • Belief that the proximity of the dangers associated with the risk is limited dangers vs benefits

  • Chemical imbalance in the brain

  • Victims of child abuse are more likely to engage in negative risk-taking

Why is Risk Taking so Important

  • Risk-taking is essential for developing self-esteem, establishing an identity, personal growth, and establishing personal limits.

  • It is a rite of passage in western culture where there is no ceremonial passage or initiation rite

  • Provides opportunities to learn from mistakes

Risk Taking - Physical, Social, Emotional

  • Risks can be categorized under the headings: Physical, Social, Emotional.

  • Some of the risks may fall into more than one category.

Community Perceptions of Risk Taking

  • Discuss how the community/society would react to the behavior/s featured.

  • Would the community view them as being acceptable?

  • Do the behaviors of a minority of young people influence the perceptions of the community into thinking all young people are 'badly' behaved?

Personal and Social Responsibility

  • Everyone has a responsibility for their own health and for the health of others.

Person Skills to deal with everyday pressure

  • Coping strategies to deal with pressure

  • Resilience

  • Skill building

  • Protective behaviors

  • Assertiveness

  • Connectedness

  • Decision-making model

  • Negotiation skills

Effective Risk Reduction Strategies - Individual

  • Individual strategies to reduce harm include:

    • Skill-building

    • Learning about consequences

    • Defensive driver training

    • Using a decision-making model

    • Partaking in alcohol education programs

    • Re-channelling energies into less risky behaviors

    • Applying negotiation skills

    • Always use KASE (Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, Environment)

    • Being informed about risks/consequences

    • Seeking out positive role models (parents, coaches, teachers, church leaders)

    • Being connected

    • Practicing assertiveness

    • Practicing resilience

    • Getting involved in a community support program e.g. The Link, Pulse, Party Safe or iPARTY

    • Having a personal situational safety plan

    • Making good lifestyle choices.

Effective Risk Reduction Strategies - Community

  • Providing support groups

  • Implementing laws

  • Awareness campaigns

  • Implementing new technology

  • Providing positive role models

  • Partaking in alternative therapies.

The Impact of Individual Risk Taking

The impact of individual risk taking on:

  • Family:

    • Emotional distress and trauma.

    • Financial burden due to medical expenses or legal issues.

    • Strained relationships and potential for conflict.

    • Disruption of family routines and responsibilities.

  • Community:

    • Increased healthcare costs.

    • Strain on social services and resources.

    • Potential for increased crime rates.

    • Negative impact on community safety and well-being.

  • Government:

    • Increased healthcare spending.

    • Higher law enforcement and judicial costs.

    • Potential for increased social welfare costs.

    • Need for public health campaigns and interventions.