Dr YES team to visit Derby and Broome schools

November 18, 2008

High school students in Broome and Derby will have the opportunity to discuss sexual health, drugs and alcohol and mental health when the Dr YES team of dedicated medical students visit the region next month.

The Dr YES (Youth Education Sessions) program enables young people to discuss health issues in a frank, informative and non-threatening environment.

"Dr YES volunteers are only a few years older than the high school students which helps break down communication barriers and encourages them to ask questions and raise problems that may be impacting on their lives," said Dr YES Project Officer Victoria O'Donoghue.

"Most sessions go for an hour and the Dr YES team use humour, sketches and small group discussions to help make students feel at ease.

"The program complements and expands on the students' high school curriculum and gives them the knowledge and confidence to access the health system."

Dr YES is an initiative of the Australian Medical Association (WA) Foundation which supports innovative programs to help improve the health and well-being of young people. The program is supported by the WA Health Department, the WA Department of Education and Training and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at UWA and the University of Notre Dame.

More than 40,000 students throughout WA have taken part in the Dr YES program since it started nearly 10 years ago and some other State are moving to adopt it.

The Dr YES team starts its tour with a visit to Derby District High School on December 1 before going to Broome Senior High School and St Mary's College.

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