Health Fair Helps Raise Awareness
Story by Shirley Slater (Media Relations Officer)
31 January 2008
Professionals from a selection of local Health Agencies were on hand to offer advice and information to students on a range of health related issues during a two day promotional event in College last week. Linked to the college tutorial programme the Fair was organised to help raise awareness in four main areas – Alcohol Awareness, Active Lifestyle, Mental Health and Sexual Health.
Evette Hawkins who co-ordinated the event said, “The aim of the overall programme of activities is to raise awareness of the kinds of problems some young people might encounter. Not all students will use the information while at college but it about ensuring that they know how to access help and information if they need to at any time of their lives.”
College nurses Michelle Black and Pam Searle created a display which showed the effects of smoking and offered advice on how to quit while professionals from NEEDAS (North East Essex Drug and Alcohol Service) asked students to consider “How much is too much.” Evette added, “if we try to educate students in how many units certain drinks contain, hopefully it will allow them of make better decisions if drinking alcohol.”
Rob Downes from EYPDAS (Essex Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Service) who recently won a national award from the Home Office for their success in tackling drug issues said, “There is a lot of misinformation about illegal drugs. This is a great opportunity for students to come to talk to me and I tell them the facts about the health effects of drug abuse. Many young people are unaware of the side effects – young women are especially shocked about the ageing effect on skin.”
Sam Purnell from Colchester MIND, based at the Junction, helped highlight how many people suffer from mental health problems at some stage of their lives for a short period of time. She commented “It’s important to raise awareness that this can be a common occurrence, that help is available and to try and remove some of the stigma which still surrounds mental health issues.” Student Laura Frost said, “This has been a really useful experience for me. I found out lots of things I wasn’t previously aware of and I have got of lots of leaflets to read.”
Other agencies represented were: - Chlamydia Screening Programme, Sexual Health Clinic, GU Clinic and Men’s Action for Health.