This morning I watched a 20 minute episode of Facing Life Head-On. Brad Mattes, the host, explored a sex and relationship high school program in Cincinnati called Healthy Visions. I’ve included the episode below. This program’s message has pulled kids from suicide, self-harming behaviours and toxic relationships and taught them they had worth. All while teaching them about sex and relationships.
Well that’s impressive.
Check out the panel interview at the 11.36 minute mark and the 19:40 minute mark if you don’t have time to watch the whole thing. You’ll want to invite the program’s coordinator, Russell Proctor, on a cross-country speaking tour.
Anyone want to bankroll that?
Imagine if this program was offered in high schools across Canada?
Rather than just focusing on discussing the issues, Healthy Visions focuses on the individual. It meets students where they are and communicates a message of self-worth, self-respect and self-confidence. Using the value of each person as a foundation, it helps the teenagers develop better decision making skills by demonstrating how actions have consequences. It teaches them how to weigh the potential risks of certain behaviors against the alleged benefits. This skill equips students to deal with situations including alcohol, drugs or sex.
Another focus of the program is on relationships—from dating, to friendships, to family. They compare negative behaviors like jealousy, anger and disrespect to positive ones such as trust, security and importance of core values. Strong relationships are critical to the teens’ ongoing support and encouragement. The program also addresses harmful behaviors like substance abuse, eating disorders and even suicidal thoughts. The idea is that students can find forgiveness and healing, and can change their lives for the better.
Rather than just focusing on discussing the issues, Healthy Visions focuses on the individual. It meets students where they are and communicates a message of self-worth, self-respect and self-confidence. Using the value of each person as a foundation, it helps the teenagers develop better decision making skills by demonstrating how actions have consequences. It teaches them how to weigh the potential risks of certain behaviors against the alleged benefits. This skill equips students to deal with situations including alcohol, drugs or sex.
Another focus of the program is on relationships—from dating, to friendships, to family. They compare negative behaviors like jealousy, anger and disrespect to positive ones such as trust, security and importance of core values. Strong relationships are critical to the teens’ ongoing support and encouragement. The program also addresses harmful behaviors like substance abuse, eating disorders and even suicidal thoughts. The idea is that students can find forgiveness and healing, and can change their lives for the better.
– See more at: http://www.lifeissues.org/breakingnews/2013/bn6-21-13.htm#sthash.oLwdnqoz.dpuf
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I dunno, Faye. Why would you do a careful, thoughtful, personalized presentation about developing healthy relationships when you can just get kids to practice putting condoms on bananas??
10 out of 10 on this post Faye.
Tried to come up with something witty as a response to Andrea’s comment but kids haven’t been able to figure out why ‘safer sex’ programs are trying to protect bananas.
Thanks David. It’s really the program that’s 10 out of 10.
I wish I had a money tree. There are so many things I would do. Like organize that speaking tour.