Warwickshire News Mine

The Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, together with the National Chlamydia Screening Programme launched “Contraception. Worth talking about” on Monday 30 November.

The campaign hopes to raise awareness that normalising everyday conversations around relationships and sex will play an important role in reducing teenage pregnancy rates and improving sexual health. It aims to create an open, positive and supportive environment to talk about safer sex and better relationships.

Young people, parents, healthcare professionals, teachers and the wider youth workforce will be targeted with particular focus on the choices of contraception available, and Chlamydia testing.

In Warwickshire, Respect Yourself Campaign partners including Warwickshire County Council and NHS Warwickshire will use the national campaign to promote local services that are already on offer.

Amy Danahay, Respect Yourself Campaign Manager, said: “Relationships and sexual health is often a taboo subject amongst many 16 to 24-year-olds, but this campaign is saying they shouldn’t be embarrassed to talk openly about it with the partners, friends, family and of course health professionals.

“In Warwickshire, there are a number of services available offering free, confidential information when it comes to subjects such as contraception choices including GP surgeries, specially trained Youth Workers and Connexions Personal Advisors among others. There’s also lots of information available on our website – http://www.respectyourself.info.

“The campaign comes at a particularly poignant time as the Christmas party season gets underway, and of course it raises awareness of the importance of good sexual health ahead of World Aids Day on 1 December.“

Dr John Linnane, Director of Public Health for NHS Warwickshire and Warwickshire County Council, said: “We aim to do what we can to encourage young people to talk openly to their family and friends, so that they are able to improve their understanding about everything to do with sexual health and become more confident in their ability to make the choices that are best for them.”

For more information about Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign or relationships and sexual health, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.

To find out more about the “Contraception. Worth talking about” campaign visit http://www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout.  For further information on cointraception and the choices available to women visit http://www.talkchoice.co.uk

Link to WCC