Healthy Relationships

Supporting and respecting the relationships and sexual health needs of your youth.

Start early talking about body parts, physical development and puberty – make it part of every day conversation.
Support your youth in learning about their health condition and how it might affect puberty and other aspects of sexuality.
Check out the suggested Sexual Health Reading List for youth and parents, from the Island Sexual Health Society.
Find resources for transgender and gender questioning youth and young adults from the BCCH Endocrine Clinic.
Check out the Trans Care BC website, an information hub for gender-affirming care and support.
Have your youth complete the Youth Quiz – can they share their questions or concerns about sexual health? With who?
Work through the sexual health Youth Toolkit Activity Cards to help them develop skills and knowledge.
Talk to youth about what consent means.

Ask your Family Physician about puberty, sexuality, and how to talk to your youth.
Check out Shift Education for information about health and safety, relationships, and sexuality (for youth with diverse abilities).
When you have questions – call Sex Sense at 1-800-SEX-SENSE (1-800-739-7367) throughout BC or send them an email.
Youth clinics offer sexual health services and information that your family doctor may not. They are also free! Find a Youth Clinic:

Contact your local chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) for information and support on issues of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Learn about LGBTQ-friendly information through QMUNITY: BC's Queer Resource Centre.
Learn about services for youth living with HIV and Hep C through YouthCO: Youth Leading the HIV and Hep C Movement.

Talk to your youth about sexual abuse and how to stay safe.
If youth want to/are able to talk about an issue, they can call the Kids Phone Helpline at 1-800-668-6868 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If youth are not ready to talk, they can use the Kids Help Phone's online chat.

Sexual functioning can be affected by a health condition and/or medications – start by asking your youth’s health care team.
If thinking about using birth control, check to see how the youth’s condition and/or disability and/or medications may affect options for contraception.
Learn about options for contraception, safer sex and birth control with Options for Sexual Health.
If you don’t have a Family Physician, check out a community clinic for STI testing, birth control, and resources on sexual orientation and gender identity. You can find community sexual health clinics online or at:

Ask your physician for a referral to a Genetic Specialist (if required) before becoming sexually active.
Look into adult provincial genetic services for evaluation, diagnosis, genetic counseling and education.

Provincial Health Services Authority