Teensmart/Jovensalud is an innovative organization that empowers youth to take control of their lives. They do it through online counseling, courses and information coupled with community building both online and in person. It is a service that all youth need and it reaches them where they are on their mobile devices.
I have been a donor, board member and supporter of TeenSmart for over 15 years.
• Six preventable risk behavior (violence/accidents and injuries, smoking, alcohol and other drugs, sexual risk taking, obesity and sedentary lifestyles) contribute to 75% of all health care costs. These behaviors often begin in adolescence and continue into adulthood. Their consequences often derail youths’ lives and cost society and governments billions of dollars annually.
• TeenSmart provides online health promotion and youth leadership information, education, coaching, support and referral services via www.jovensalud.net and the JSAPP.
• The goal is to engage, equip and empower youth with knowledge, skills, and motivation to make smart healthy lifestyle choices everyday everywhere.
• TeenSmart works hand in hand with schools, churches, libraries to reach Spanish speaking youth 10-24 age.
• Youth with access to the Internet and a mobile device such as a cellphone or tablet, can access services 24/7 for free anywhere.
• Online services include self-assessment health, risk and resilience questionnaires, online coaching and support, online courses, forums and chats, a health promotion encyclopedia, and a directory of adolescent health care services.
I am amazed at the remarkable need for and growth of these services, growing from serving 167 youth in 2005, to over 89,000 users from over 18 countries today. I am amazed at the impact these services are having in the lives of so many young people. Youth who use these services report better family communication, less depression and suicidal ideation, greater seatbelt use, less fighting and weapon carrying, and among youth sexually active, greater condom use.