The Odyssey Program

Resources & Links

Helplines - Laws - Health & Safety - And more.

The Odyssey Program provides the following as information for boys and teachers to access anytime and for reference in an emergency.

We have included many links to external sites that carry the most accessible and up-to-date information online. It must be noted, however, that we have no control over the content of those sites and therefore cannot and do not take responsibility for the consequences of viewing or using their content. We provide these links merely as a resource for boys to then make their own informed decisions.

If you notice any mistakes or broken links please send us an email. Also, if you have a suggestion for a hotline or a topic of interest to be included, please let us know. We hope to grow and maintain this page as an ongoing source of information for the boys who we've worked with and whose health, safety and happiness we value so highly.

Click a topic below to be taken to the corresponding information.
Or simply scroll down to browse the resources.

• Emergency Numbers & Helplines



• Laws & Safety



•       Age of Consent (Legal Sex Age)



•       Sexual Assault / Rape



•       Cyber Bullying



•       Drink / Drug Driving



• Health



•       Sexual Health



•       Sexuality



•       Food



•       Exercise



•       Sleep



•       Meditation (how to meditate)

• Other Links

Emergency Numbers & Helplines

Helplines below are separated into Australia-wide and State-specific categories. If you don't find what you seek in one category, try another. If need be, call an interstate number and ask for contact details of a similar service in your area.

Police, Ambulance, Fire --- 000 --- 24/7. Free call. Use ONLY in an emergency. Stay calm, answer questions clearly and honestly, and follow the operator's instructions.

Police, Ambulance, Fire --- 112 --- 24/7. Free call. Call this number from a mobile anywhere in the country, even if you have no credit. It even works when out of normal reception range. Use ONLY in an emergency.

Police Assistance --- 131 444 --- 24/7. For all non-urgent police calls.

Crime Stoppers --- 1800 333 000 --- Free call. Provide information about criminals, their activities and 'target crimes' that are featured in the media.

Kid's Helpline --- 1800 551 800 --- Free call. 24/7. Anonymous and confidential telephone counselling for people aged 5–25 years. They are ready to listen and discuss any issues at all!

Lifeline --- 131 114 --- 24/7 telephone counselling for any issue - family and relationships, mental health concerns, suicide prevention and support, abuse and violence, loneliness and life direction.

Beyond Blue --- 1300 224 636 --- Information on depression and how to get better.

Pregnancy Support Helpline --- 1800 422 213 --- 24/7. Free, confidential counselling for unplanned pregnancies. Calls from mobiles will be charged at mobile rate. Telecommunication regulations require all charged calls from mobiles to be listed on your mobile bill.

Problem Gambling Hotline --- 1800 00 22 10

Laws & Safety

The law regarding how old you must be before you are allowed to have sex can differ from state to state. Sometimes there are also laws that restrict the type of sexual activity you are allowed to engage in at different ages.

The link below will take you to information about these laws on the National Children’s & Youth Law Centre website, Lawstuff.

To make sure you are fully aware of the laws in your area, please read your state's information carefully. Simply select your state through the "Change State" menu item.

Visit: "When can I have sex?"

Your Sex Health is an excellent site on sexual safety and understanding sexual assault.

If you aren't sure whether the way you are being treated at home is normal or not, Bursting the Bubble is a website that will help you.

Drink spiking can occur at parties and clubs. The Children, Youth and Women's Health Service have put together some information to help you protect yourself and your friends from becoming victims.

The Better Health Channel also has a page on partying safely that is worth reading.

If you believe you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual assault, it is important to seek help. Here is an Australia wide list of sexual assault services to assist you. Make contact with an organisation in your area immediately and begin the process of healing.

For advanced information on the laws surrounding sexual offences you can read the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault's document "The law and sexual offences against adults in Australia".

Cyber bullying is a crime.

The Australian Government's Cybersmart website has a section dedicated to online safety and cyber bullying. Check it out to learn how to protect yourself and what to do in case of being bullied online. You may also like to explore the website further for information on topics such as your digital footprint and identity theft.

It can be easy to fall into traps with technology these days. Take a look at ThinkUKnow.org.au for tips on how to stay in control with online and mobile technologies as well as how to report online threats to your safety.

General information about the effects of various substances can be found on the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service website, on the Drugs and Alcohol page.

ReachOut.com has an excellent webpage defining drink driving and with tips for controlling your drinking. Near the bottom of the page you will find links to specific laws in your state. If you have your licence, it is worth checking out the drink driving page.

DrugInfo Clearinghouse has a great page titled: The Law: Drug Driving. There you will find information regarding roadside testing for drugs, as well as links to state-specific information about laws, testing and penalties.

Health

When you become sexually active, it is important to inform yourself of the risks and to take appropriate measures to keep yourself and your partner safe.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing have published some good general information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and safe sex on their website. You may find the following pages particularly useful:

Young People and STIs

STIs and Safe Sex

For more detailed information regarding STIs, have a look at the I Wanna Know website. You will find info on chlamydia, HPV, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other common diseases.

If you have had unprotected sex you should get tested for STIs to ensure your health and to protect your future partners as well. Many STIs do not show symptoms but you may still have them. Even if you only ever have 'safe sex', you should consider having regular sexual health check-ups (every 6-12 months). Many STIs can be cured in the early stages and all will respond better to treatment if detected early. STI checks are quick and easy and will put your mind at ease. So it really is worth getting tested.

The links below will help you find sexual health clinics in Australian capital cities that offer free and confidential STI testing. If you live in another city or in a rural area, you can contact these clinics and ask their advice or speak to your local doctor. You can also check out Fast Facts - Sexual Health Clinics and Australian STD Clinics for comprehensive lists of national locations to get tested.

  ACT: Canberra Sexual Health Centre

  NSW: Sydney Sexual Health Centre

  NT: Clinic 34 (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine...)

  QLD: Brisbane Sexual Health Clinic

  SA: Clinic 275

  TAS: Sexual Health Service (Hobart, Launceston, Devonport...)

  VIC: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre

  WA: Sexual health agencies in WA

Did you know? Putting on two condoms actually increases the likelihood that they will break or fall off!! Condoms were designed to be used one at a time. If you have decided to have sex and you are concerned about premature ejaculation, practice breathing more deeply and more slowly. Relax. Take time to slow down and connect with your partner. This makes for a safer and more emotionally fulfilling experience!

Finally, why not challenge yourself to become a master of Sex-Fu!

It is normal, especially during adolescence, to sometimes wonder about your sexual orientation or level of interest in sex.

If you or someone close to you is questioning their sexuality ("Am I straight or gay or bi or...?"), Reach Out has a selection of very good online fact sheets and stories to help you navigate the confusion.

Part of taking care of yourself and making sure you are able to stay positive and focused in whatever you do is to eat well.

Of course there's nothing wrong with pizza or chips or chocolate in moderation. But they shouldn't be the main foods you eat. You need good quality foods, with a balance of protein, fibre, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins and minerals, and of course flavour!

Sometimes it's difficult to avoid fast foods and general junk. There can be a lot of social pressure when around groups of your peers to eat and drink what they do. You can be stressed and low on time and feel like a quick fix. And as a teenager it's likely you don't always get to decide what's in the cupboard or what's served for dinner.

Once you start to take an interest in healthy eating and learn to make delicious foods, you may be surprised at how others around you respond. Most friends - true friends - will be supportive. There are very few parents or guardians who would turn down the offer if you say you'd like to cook for the family one or two nights a week. And remember, girls like a guy that can cook!

The following resources will be of use to you as you begin to develop an appetite for good quality foods.

Before going any further, it is a must to understand food safety. Make sure you read the Victorian Government's information on how to choose, cook, store and reheat food safely: Food Safety.

Now, the fun part. Learning how to cook easy, delicious and HEALTHY meals...

LINKS TO COME! STAY TUNED!

For those of you serious about your fitness, check out the comprehensive Brian Mac Sports Coach website and browse the left-column for topics of interest.

More information will be added soon, so STAY TUNED!

In the meantime - step outside and do some exercise you enjoy! You will notice the positive benefits immediately!

Regularly getting a good night's rest is important for the health of your body, mind and emotions.

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama said: "Tibetan Buddhism considers sleep to be a form of nourishment, like food, that restores and refreshes the body."

If you're up all night playing computer games and wondering why you often feel low on energy, have difficulty focusing during the day and are feeling a bit down, the answer to your troubles could be as simple as switching off and going to bed! I know it seems boring, but building good sleeping patterns now can set you up for a much better time of life well into the future.

For more information, check out the American Psychological Association's report "Why sleep is important and what happens when you don't get enough."

And for helpful tips on how to get good sleep, visit HelpGuide.org's page, How To Sleep Better.

The practice of meditation has existed in one form or another in every spiritual or religious tradition throughout history and it is now also in widespread use within modern psychology.

Meditation is simple, relaxing, enjoyable, flexible and insightful. And anyone can do it!

The links below will connect you to a number of other websites where you can find useful information and/or programs for teenage health and development. There are also a few off-topic connections we've made along the way.