Making responsible decisions

You are faced with decisions every day. Some are simple choices such as what to eat for breakfast or whether it's too wet to ride to school, but others need more thought. Sometimes, bigger decisions are complicated, with no clear correct choice. There may be be pros and cons for each option. You might also be pressured by your friends into making a decision that you're not comfortable with.

It's not always easy. You might need to think carefully about what's important to you, what information you need, what alternatives there are and if you need to make any trade-offs.

You can take steps to build your confidence and make responsible decisions:

• Understand how to deal with peer pressure so you can make independent choices
• Practise decision-making skills and strategies to build your confidence
• Make informed, responsible decisions around alcohol, smoking and other drugs
• Find help that will support you to make responsible decisions