Adolescent Health

  Highlights

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)  

Texans can dial 2-1-1 (option 6) for information on COVID-19 and local community resources on health care, utilities, food, housing and more. For more information and resources about COVID-19, visit the Department of State Health Services COVID-19 page.

Helpful tips:

• Social Distance. 
  • Whether you’re at work, at a store or anywhere else, practice social distancing. Keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Remember that some people without symptoms can be infected and spread the virus.
• Wash your hands often.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterward.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • The virus may live on different surfaces for different lengths of time. Clean frequently touched surfaces.
• When to stay home.
  • Stay home if you have had known contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or you feel sick.
  • Stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 even if you don’t feel sick.   

Sickle Cell Disorders and COVID-19: Why My Child Needs a COVID-19 Vaccine

The Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) Newborn Screening Program created a fact sheet to answer frequently asked questions about vaccinating children and adolescents with sickle cell disorders to protect them against COVID-19. 

You can download the fact sheet from the link below.

• DSHS NBS Sickle Cell COVID Vaccine Flyer

Sickle cell disease includes a group of related disorders that affect a person's red blood cells. It is caused by a change in the genes that make hemoglobin which is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen. 

Children and adolescents with sickle cell disease are more likely to become seriously ill. They could get hospitalized or die from COVID-19. It's important for adults to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect children too young to get vaccinated. 

For general COVID-19 information, visit the DSHS coronavirus webpage. For more information about newborn screening, visit the newborn screening webpage.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) 

Adolescent Mental Health

Adolescence is a critical time for young people’s development. The number of adolescents reporting poor mental health is growing. The Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) shows U.S. high school students are facing severe challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 37% of high school students reported poor mental health.
• 44% reported feeling persistent sadness or hopelessness.

Check out the National Adolescent and Youth Adult Health Information Center’s new resource on Promoting and Caring from Young Adult Mental Health here.

Find out more about supporting adolescent mental health.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Office of Population Affairs

External links are informational and do not have the Texas Department of State Health Services endorsement. These external links may not be accessible to individuals with disabilities.