Number 15
Here is the latest edition of YouthMoves – a news-sheet for people interested in youth issues in
Written and Produced by Kirrilie Smout, Psychologist, Speaker and Youth Specialist
Please note you are receiving this email after signing up for it at a seminar or via the web. For details about unsubscribing, go to the end of this email message.
Welcome to the latest edition of YouthMoves, a newsletter for those who work with and want to understand young Australians. YouthMoves exists to give ‘snatches’ of youth news, info and sources relevant to busy people relating to young people
What’s in this issue?
- Confidentiality… Promising Not to Tell!
- Find out about useful youth resources
- FORUM: Low Self-Esteem
- Find out about upcoming youth events
- Sustain! E-tutoring program for teenagers
- Our contact details
- Subscription info
- PLUS interesting statistics and quotes
CONFIDENTIALITY… PROMISING NOT TO TELL
A tricky issue when working with adolescents is when a teenager tells you something they don’t want others to know. For example, teenagers might disclose that they are pregnant, have a friend who is self-harming, have been sexually abused, have shoplifted or have abused illicit drugs. While a teenager might expect information to be kept confidential, other concerned parties might expect this information to be passed on. Psychologists (and doctors and certain other professionals) must abide by set laws and guidelines. Psychologists generally must not tell any other person what a teenager has told them, unless the teenager gives permission.
This principle holds true, even if the teenager tells about activity we might consider undesirable or unsafe (for example drug use and even criminal behaviour).
Certain exceptions apply however. For example, if a teenager discloses that they (or another child) have been abused, psychologists (and others) must tell authorities. If a teenager discloses information that means they or another person is at “clear and significant” risk, then the psychologist may also pass this information on.
Determining “clear and significant risk” requires judgement, however if teenagers tell me, in confidence, they are doing something undesirable (eg cutting themselves, shoplifting, using drugs) but I do not believe anyone is at significant risk, then I cannot break confidentiality. This sometimes comes as a surprise to parents and others.
Teachers are in a slightly different position. For example, students may tell a teacher about bullying, about a friend who is self-harming or about being pregnant, and tell the teacher, “not to tell”. Teachers are not required by law to keep this information confidential in the same way a psychologist is, but instead, are expected to exercise professional judgment about handling sensitive information, while respecting the privacy of students where possible. Teachers are also legally obligated to their employer (the school) and therefore often are required to put the needs of the school above individual confidentiality requests.
I sometimes recommend that teachers break confidentiality of students, in the best interests of that students’ (and others) welfare. This is a step that must never be taken lightly, but in the long term is sometimes a safer and more practical option than blindly following a students’ sometimes misguided desire for secrecy.
Confidentiality is a difficult area. It is important to talk through situations with people around you. Feel free to ring me for advice any time. Most important however is that we all (teachers, doctors, parents, counsellors or others) make it clear before teenagers enter into discussion with us, what the limits of confidentiality are..
STATS and FACTS
The average age for a young person in
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I won't say ours was a tough school, but we had our own coroner. We used to write essays like: What I'm going to be if I grow up."
Lenny Bruce
UPCOMING EVENTS AND RESOURCES
Drug Action Week – 21-25 June 2004. In March, ADCA distributed over a thousand Drug Action Week Kits -- for copies, contact ADCA, ph: (02) 6281 0686; email: info@drugactionweek.org.au or see: http://www.drugactionweek.org.au
International Youth Day – 12 August 2004: This UN-inspired day's theme is: 'Youth and Intergenerational Relations: Young people and the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family'.
NOISE is a national youth media arts festival happening live across the media this October. The festival will showcase writing, animation, e-works, images, moving pictures, DJ sets, zines, spoken word and new and remixed music - created by young Australians and projected to a national audience of over 15 million. Encourage the youth you know to get cracking and put together an entry. Details at: http://www.noise.net.au, or phone noise for a guidebook: 1800 080 826.
STOP PRESS: We have a NEW psychologist working with us while Kirrilie takes some time off to go on maternity leave. Her name is Sonia Krasnikow, she is a warm, compassionate psychologist who enjoys working with young people. To make an appointment with her, ring our office on 8357 1711.
FORUM:
Dear Kirrilie: My son appears confident on the outside, but underneath I can tell he is lacking in self-esteem. What can I do? Concerned Parent.
Dear Concerned Parent,
This is a common question. Parents are often able to see the fragility of their teenagers while the teen puts on a “confident show” in front of others. A few things to keep in mind.
First, words do help. Tell your teenager specifically what you like about them, what you admire and what you think they do well. Teens won’t always look comfortable when you tell them this. But keep doing it. Praise and affirmation makes a difference. If you can organise for a teen to receive praise from someone else as well – even better. Have a quiet word to a relative or older friend and ask them to “casually mention” what it is they like about the teenager – to the teenager. Always pass on anything good you hear.
Second, understand that self-confidence comes primarily from seeing ourselves do well at something. Teenagers are the same. When they experience success or achievement this increases their confidence. Unfortunately some teenagers do not have these “success experiences” very often. Therefore, as adults we need to set these up for them. Think about your son’s strengths. Then find opportunities for him to excel. For example, get your son involved in sport, part-time work, learning an instrument, taking art classes, tutoring a younger child, coaching a sporting team or some other activity where he can see himself succeed. Talk to his school (your son doesn’t have to know this is happening) and see whether his teachers can find a way for him to receive positive feedback in some area.
Finally, remember that it is normal to be unsure of who you are as a teenager. If you think back to your own teenage years, you will probably find that you also questioned your own self-worth. Most people have a period of self-doubt as an adolescence and “grow into” self-confidence as they mature.
Regards, Kirrilie
RESOURCES
FAST FOOD JOBS
Learning life skills or being exploited?
Do you know young people working in the fast food industry? This is a must read! “Fast food industry: a research study of the experiences and problems of young workers” can be downloaded from
HOT TOPIC – ALCOHOL
Why do kids drink? What do they know about the effects of alcohol? How do they get the alcohol? Young people talk about alcohol and answer these questions and more! Go to http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/ourwork/ask.html and follow the link to Young People Talk Alcohol.
GRAB A BARGAIN!
Until the end of 2004 the Australian
Clearinghouse for Youth Studies
are offering bargains on ACYS books,
NYARS reports and theme pack
collections. For more info go to http://www.acys.utas.edu.au.
SUSTAIN!
Want ONGOING support for students in helping them manage their time, motivate themselves to study and effectively manage exams? Sign up for Sustain! A weekly email for students with teen-friendly study tips and students can email in any questions, any time. Info at www.innovateonline.net
If you would like to see the back issues of Youth Moves, log on to our website www.innovateonline.net If I can assist your work with young people in any way (by offering counselling services, speaking/training or just answering a question about youth issues), please feel free to phone me on (08) 8357 1711, or email kirriliesmout@innovateonline.net.
SUBSCRIPTION INFO
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