‘Teen Talk’ focuses on risky behavior among teens

By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Aware of teens’ predilection for risky behavior, the Public School System’s Teen Talk focused on how teenagers can avoid behavioral patterns that would expose them to dangers such as sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and drug use, among others.

With the theme “Becoming More Aware of Risk Behaviors”, PSS held its HIV Prevention Program workshop from Dec. 27 to 29, at the Napu Room of Pacific Island Club. Today is the last day of the event that will also tackle subjects such as Bullying and Violence, Grieving and Nutrition and Physical Activities.

Organized by the PSS HIV Program led by Science Health HIV coordinator Jackie Quitugua, the event aims to convey to parents, faculty and students the importance of identifying risk behaviors that teenagers and the youth in general deal with everyday.

PSS has been holding this workshop for four years now. Research shows that peer education program such as this is a “more powerful” avenue for teens to address issues that surround them.

Last year’s theme was on skill building such as communication skills and relationship-building. This year the workshop focused on risk behaviors. Faculty members and parents supported the event. More than 18 high school students participated.

Risk behaviors that lead to diseases like STD, HIV and teen pregnancies were the major discussions in this workshop, though, according to Quitugua, nutrition and physical activity in schools were also discussed since 30 percent of the student population suffers either from being overweight or from obesity.

In yesterday afternoon session, teen leaders had a hand in presenting to the audience the result of a group activity they had in the morning, choosing topics that were related to sexuality, diseases, drugs, drinking and smoking, self-esteem and relationships.

Students had presentations and shared with everyone the risk behaviors they are actually facing: Self-mutilation and depression that arise from families ignoring teen issues due to shame, not enough scrutiny of the signs, coercing teens to talk when they don’t want to, and so on.

For Quitugua, the seminar was a successful event. “I’m very impressed with the attendees’ willingness and sacrifice, knowing that it is the holidays,” she said, “I personally commend the teachers [and] principals who are willing to make a difference in our community.”