Why PASH?
- Young people aged 15-29 years are disproportionately affected by the burden of STIs accounting for over 75%. The incidence of Chlamydia notifications in North and Mid North Coast are one of the highest in NSW.
- Stigma and Discrimination are hampering young people to seek healthy behaviours, including accessing services.
- Building and upskilling a supportive community involving parents, teachers, workers and community leaders, is key to successful youth programming.
- Limited access to sexual health and related services are still a major issue for our young people and families living in rural communities.
- Sexual Health is far more than STI’s – the need to understand complexities around mental health, drug & alcohol and body image are all part of Sexual Health and well-being.
PASH Purpose
- PASH Program has strong focus on skills and resilience development around sexual health, gender and sexuality, body image, relationship and intimacy, harm reduction, drug and alcohol, mental health, bullying and safety, social media, sex and law.
- Specialised sessions for adults and engaging parents, teachers, youth workers, health professionals and community leaders are a major element of PASH conference programming so that young people’s needs are better understood and supported by the broader, adult – run society.
- Other skills development and specific behaviour education around condom use, how to reduce STI risk, and how to access STI testing and treatment.
- Consultation with the community and research is also a main focus.
