Sexual Health Info

[mechanic_virus]

In case anybody is interested, I've just developed a Windows Live Spaces account for Sexual Health info.

http://yoursexualhealth.spaces.live.com/

If you or anybody you know (teens, friends, etc.) have any questions related to sexual health and would like them answered personally, please refer to the site.

[crash 99]

Way to go M_V!!

This is an awesome idea...wishing you the best of luck .

[mechanic_virus]

Thanks, Crash.

Since the third option is sitting at 50%, I figure I'll explain a little.

I created this site because healthy sexuality is something that I am both passionate and knowledgeable about. I feel that people (youth in particular) need to have a variety of ways in which they can access the information they need, so that they can choose the option that feels most comfortable and convenient to them. They won't always seek out the educators, so the educators must make themselves available to them. I realise this site is just a baby-step towards the type of internet education programming I would like to eventually put in place, but was inspired to do something now after having attended a conference in San Francisco last week (Sex::Tech - Focus on Youth).

Studies show that peer education is a very effective means of reaching young people, and being classified as a youth myself, I am able to speak to them in a language they understand and are not put off by.

Next month I'll have been providing both peer education and community education on the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS for 9 years. I have also been providing education on viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for a number of years. Here in the community, I am routinely asked to train the LPNs at the Okanagan College, the RNs at UBC-O, and other health-related classes around bloodborne pathogens. I have provided training sessions for SD23's Family Life teachers, and also partner with the Elizabeth Fry Society to provide STI workshops to their group, Girl Power. There are a number of other groups I regularly facilitate workshops for, but this just gives you an idea.

I attend several workshops, conferences, and conference calls each year alongside other sexual health professionals in order to constantly keep up to date with new information and implement new ideas. In addition to this work that I do I also run the newly established Provincial HCV Youth Network, and run a GLBTQ youth group here in Kelowna.

I feel that I am qualified to answer the majority of questions I may be asked in regards to sexual health given my extensive experience. Being well connected to other professionals in the field, I am also confident that I will be able to locate the proper answers to many of the questions that I do not readily have the answers for. I know what my limitations are, and will not give advice when questions are asked that are outside of my qualifications (issues such as mental health, suicide, eating disorders, diagnosing illnesses, etc.), but will instead refer the individual to resources that are better equipt to handle their specific needs.

I think that sums it up fairly well. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to pm me.

[Baba O'Riley]

It seems a great idea to me too, M_V! Well done & good luck with it!

I feel that people (youth in particular) need to have a variety of ways in which they can access the information they need, so that they can choose the option that feels most comfortable and convenient to them. They won't always seek out the educators, so the educators must make themselves available to them.

Exactly!

[crash 99]

I was just sending a friend the site to see if her daughters would be interested....and she told me that there are 2 girls in her middle daughter's school that are pregnant... Grade 7.

Your site is needed more than I initially imagined...

[Triple 6]

Nice work M-V! Good on ya!