Believe it or not, if you’re a teen in California, you can actually be excused from school to visit your local health clinic to access sexual and reproductive health services. You can do all this WITHOUT needing your parents’ or guardians’ permission and WITHOUT them being notified! There are a variety of sexual health services that you can receive at a clinic. For example, you can access:
- Birth control, including Emergency Contraception
- Testing and treatment for STDs (ages 12 and older)
- Pregnancy testing and prenatal care
- Abortion services
- Mental health services
As a teen in California, the resources are there and you should take advantage of them! It’s not ideal to miss school, but your health matters – prioritize your health and make it of the utmost importance!