Dr YES team visits S-W high schools

Media release from the AMA (WA)

The Dr YES team about to embark on their three day educational tour of the South-West

South-West high school students will have the opportunity to discuss sexual health, drugs and alcohol and mental health issues when the Dr YES team of dedicated medical students visit the region this week.

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 students to ask questions and raise problems that may be impacting on their lives," said Dr YES Project Officer Katharine Noonan.

"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 endorsed 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 50,000 students throughout WA have taken part in the Dr YES program since it started 10 years ago and other States are showing interest in the program.

The Dr YES team starts its three-day high school tour in Harvey today (September 7) and then moves to schools in Bunbury, Donnybrook and Australind.

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