Birth Control

Educating young people with accurate information about contraceptive methods is important so they can make responsible and informed choices about their sexual health.

An understanding of the advantages of making a healthy decision around sexual health may also help young people postpone their first sexual experience, as well as prevent unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs).

The only 100% safe method of preventing unplanned pregnancy and STBBIs is abstinence. Abstinence can mean different things to different people. When it is talked about in sexual activity, it means a conscious decision to not have vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, and to refrain from sexual touching or skin-to-skin contact.

Locally, the rate of pregnancies (per 1,000 females) in Windsor-Essex County for teenagers (between the ages of 15-19 years) was 6.8 in 2020. This is significantly higher than Ontario’s rate of 4.8. It’s important to educate our young people starting in childhood concepts around the body, relationships and eventually sexuality. Having important conversations like birth control builds responsible understanding about safe sex.

Using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework, schools, school boards, parents, and community partners can work together to develop healthy school environments that promote and support student well-being.


Resources & Information for:

Resources

Lesson Plans and Activities

  • WECHU - Jeopardy Game/Tips for Teaching Sexual Health:  This is an interactive game supports learning in a fun way. Available in French.
    Faciliator Guides are available in English and French.
  • Toronto Public Health- Relationships: Human Development and Sexual Health Curriculum Support on identifying characteristics of a healthy relationship and consent meant for Grades 7 and up.
  • WECHU- Birth Control Education Lending Kit: The kit support grades 7 and up includes hormonal and non-hormonal birth control method samples, barrier method samples, a birth control option fact sheet, and links to additional resources. Contact the WECHU Healthy Schools Helpline to reserve the kit at 519-258-2146, ext. 1555, or write csh@wechu.org or if applicable contact your assigned School Nurse.
  • Teachingsexualhealth.ca: Teacher and parent portals providing evidence-based sexual health information, lesson plans, tools, and resources including Kahoot activities. This is an Alberta-hosted site and grade-specific curriculum links may need to be verified. Search for resources by grade or topic. Also available in French provided you filter the request.
  • Ophea- Healthy Schools Certification: Gives your school the tools to promote and enhance the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader school community. Contact your school nurse at 519-258-2146 x 1555 for more information on how they can support your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.
  • September has two health promotion-themed days that could be acknowledged in the schools: the 4th is World Sexual Health Day, which is committed to promoting best practices in sexual health. A recent theme was celebrating sexual health, well-being, and rights for all. On September 26th it is World Contraception Day, with educational material provided to teachers to build understanding to avoid unplanned pregnancies and STIs.

Student council or student wellness council can participate in identifying school needs and activities to address those needs.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights offers a number of campaigns that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights.
  • School Wellness Bulletin Board: Post messages about healthy sexuality and relationships throughout the year. 
  • World Contraception Day: This annual campaign on September 26th centres on a vision where every pregnancy is wanted.

Support in the community

  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card: Provides contact information related to sexual health, HIV and STI testing in Windsor-Essex County. A downloadable and printable resource to share that has information on various community agencies.
  • weCHC- Teen Health: Local health services for ages 12 to 24 years for medical care (including sexual health), counselling, groups, e-library, support for those affected by eating disorders or substance use problems.
  • Pozitive Pathway: Provides local support, advocacy, harm reduction, health promotion and education services for people living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted blood-borne infections.

Additional Resources and Support

  • Kids Help Phone Line (French): A 24/7 resource offering support and counselling via text, messenger, or phone by calling 1-800-668-6868 or TEXT 686868. The webpage has information to build understanding; reach out if you need to chat about birth control with a trained volunteer.
  • Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights-Sex Positive Parenting (French): Parents are given support on how to teach through childhood, adolescence and adulthood concepts around the body, relationships and eventually sexuality. Bring important conversations into the home like gender and sexuality so that a positive body image develops.
  • Your Life- Educational Material (French): Support for parents to build their confidence to have the “talk” in an honest way. Resources that can help you give guidance and correct information.

Support in the community

  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card: Provides contact information related to sexual health, HIV and STI testing in Windsor-Essex County. A downloadable and printable resource to share that has information on various community agencies.
  • weCHC- Teen Health: Local health services for ages 12 to 24 years for medical care (including sexual health), counselling, groups, e-library, support for those affected by eating disorders or substance use problems.
  • Pozitive Pathway: Provides local support, advocacy, harm reduction, health promotion and education services for people living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted blood-borne infections.

Additional Resources and Support

  • Kids Help Phone Line (French): A 24/7 resource offering support and counselling via text, messenger, or phone by calling 1-800-668-6868 or TEXT 686868. The webpage has information to build understanding; reach out if you need to chat about birth control with a trained volunteer.
  • Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights-Sex Positive Parenting (French): Parents are given support on how to teach through childhood, adolescence and adulthood concepts around the body, relationships and eventually sexuality. Bring important conversations into the home like gender and sexuality so that a positive body image develops.
  • Your Life- Educational Material (French): Support for parents to build their confidence to have the “talk” in an honest way. Resources that can help you give guidance and correct information.

Student council or student wellness council can participate in identifying school needs and activities to address those needs.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights offers a number of campaigns that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Support in the community

  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card: Provides contact information related to sexual health, HIV and STI testing in Windsor-Essex County. A downloadable and printable resource to share that has information on various community agencies.
  • weCHC- Teen Health: Local health services for ages 12 to 24 years for medical care (including sexual health), counselling, groups, e-library, support for those affected by eating disorders or substance use problems.
  • Pozitive Pathway: Provides local support, advocacy, harm reduction, health promotion and education services for people living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted blood-borne infections.

Additional Resources and Support

  • Kids Help Phone Line (French): A 24/7 resource offering support and counselling via text, messenger, or phone by calling 1-800-668-6868 or TEXT 686868. The webpage has information to build understanding; reach out if you need to chat about birth control with a trained volunteer.
  • Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights-Sex Positive Parenting (French): Parents are given support on how to teach through childhood, adolescence and adulthood concepts around the body, relationships and eventually sexuality. Bring important conversations into the home like gender and sexuality so that a positive body image develops.
  • Your Life- Educational Material (French): Support for parents to build their confidence to have the “talk” in an honest way. Resources that can help you give guidance and correct information.