Published March 2023
This page was published in advance of National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™). Please visit OPA’s NAHM page for the most up-to-date information.
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May is National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™). This annual observance emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging meaningful youth engagement in adolescent health activities, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health.
Adolescent health involves many aspects of health and well-being, including sexual and reproductive health, mental health, community support, and the role of caring adults. NAHM’s four weekly themes explore all of these aspects of adolescent health.
The 2023 NAHM themes are:
- Week 1: Expand sexual and reproductive health information and services
- Week 2: Promote self-care to support mental health
- Week 3: Celebrate ways that communities support youth
- Week 4: Equip adults to support adolescent health
More information, social media posts, and other resources are coming soon!
New in 2023
Please read this trademarking guidance before using the NAHM logo, name, or acronym. For assistance, please contact: opa@hhs.gov.
Get Involved in National Adolescent Health Month
Here are ways to get involved in NAHM this year.
- Post about NAHM on social media. OPA has sample social media posts and images linked below. OPA will provide additional posts as we get closer to May. You can also craft your own content and use #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth and #HealthyYouthNAHM to join the conversation. Remember to tag @HHSPopAffairs in your posts. (Coming soon: OPA will provide sample social media language for each theme.)
- Encourage young people in your community to create NAHM-themed social media posts and videos. Additionally, share their posts on your organization’s social media feeds. Remind youth to tag @HHSPopAffairs and use #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth and #HealthyYouthNAHM in your posts.
- Tell everyone who comes to your homepage what you are doing to support NAHM and how they can participate. You can direct visitors to this webpage for ways to get involved.
- Write a blog post or newsletter article about NAHM, why it’s important, and how your organization will support it. Share details on events and how your community can get involved. (Coming soon: OPA will provide sample newsletter language for each theme.)
- Work with schools to spread the word. Ask your partners at local middle and high schools to share information about NAHM with students and caring adults. Teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, and mentors can also share information about NAHM with their students.
- Write to your local, state, or federal decision makers about the important work your organization does, the youth you serve, and the goals of NAHM.
- Send a news release to your local newspaper, radio, and TV stations about your work, the youth you serve, and NAHM.
Ideas for Celebrating NAHM
In 2022, grantees and partners shared social media posts and graphics, created their own social media posts and materials, and shared resources for each weekly theme. Here’s how some of OPA’s grantees participated in NAHM last year:
- Mission West Virginia published podcast episodes relating to NAHM weekly themes.
- Arizona Family Health Partnership published articles about NAHM.
- Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc. created their own branded graphic for NAHM.
- Community Action Corporation of South Texas made posters and celebrated NAHM in person.
- Albizu University, Arizona Family Health Partnership, Mission West Virginia, and Community Action Corporation of South Texas shared information about NAHM on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
How to Promote NAHM
Please read this trademarking guidance before using the NAHM logo, name, or acronym.
Sample Social Media Posts
- May is #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth! All month, @HHSPopAffairs will emphasize the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, highlight key topics in #AdolescentHealth, and more. OPA has ideas for how you can get involved. https://opa.hhs.gov/about/news/national-adolescent-health-monthtm-2023-information-coming-soon
- Get involved with #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth this May! @HHSPopAffairs has information on this year’s themes, activities, and more. https://opa.hhs.gov/about/news/national-adolescent-health-monthtm-2023-information-coming-soon #HealthyYouthNAHM
- Everyone can play a part in promoting healthy behaviors and outcomes for adolescents. Learn how you can get involved with @HHSPopAffairs during #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth. https://opa.hhs.gov/about/news/national-adolescent-health-monthtm-2023-information-coming-soon #HealthyYouthNAHM
- May is #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth! Join @HHSPopAffairs in celebrating young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging youth engagement, and highlighting topics in #AdolescentHealth. https://opa.hhs.gov/about/news/national-adolescent-health-month-2023-coming-soon #HealthyYouthNAHM
- This May, promote #NationalAdolescentHealthMonth by sharing @HHSPopAffairs’ images and messages to highlight topics in #AdolescentHealth. https://opa.hhs.gov/about/news/national-adolescent-health-month-2023-coming-soon #HealthyYouthNAHM
Sample Facebook/LinkedIn Post
May is National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™). Join the HHS Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in celebrating young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging youth engagement, and highlighting topics in adolescent health. Explore OPA’s website for examples on how to get involved and more. https://opa.hhs.gov/about/news/national-adolescent-health-month-2023-coming-soon
Sample Newsletter Blurb
Get Ready for National Adolescent Health Month
Join the HHS Office of Population Affairs (OPA) this May to celebrate National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™). In the coming months, OPA will share information and resources to help you celebrate NAHM with your organizations and the young people you serve. Explore OPA’s website for ideas on how to get involved and more. Check back soon for more information.
Sample NAHM Graphics
National Adolescent Health Month™, NAHM™, and the NAHM logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Use of these marks without prior approval by HHS is strictly prohibited.