Health, wellness database online

The Ocean County Library has recently added a database specifically designed for the unique health concerns of teenagers to its roster of free products that are available online.

The "Teen Health and Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers" database was developed last year by Rosen Publishing, a leader in the educational publishing industry since it was founded in 1950. The database is regularly updated.

According to a press release, it provides research support and self-help on such topics as relationships, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, fitness, diseases, life skills, work readiness, mental health, family life and more.

The information is presented using a sensitive, respectful and age-appropriate approach and gives insight into the teen experience. That perspective is crucial for parents, teachers, friends and caregivers who are part of a teen's life, according to the press release.

All content is reviewed by a team of professionals in medicine, mental health, nutrition, substance abuse prevention, guidance and career counseling.

"Teen Health and Wellness" maintains a list of national hotlines that is always available for anyone with an urgent need for advice or support. It also offers a resource section that links the reader to Internet Web sites, organizations and recommended reading that has been annotated and reviewed by Rosen Publishing.

The easy-to-use site is available from home and library computers. To log on to the database from home a person will need to enter his or her library card number.

Those who access the database from a library computer can log on to the site without using their library card number.

The site offers interactive polls and quizzes. It also provides first-person narratives from teenagers who have in some way experienced the issue being researched.