"Parents are role models for teenagers." City Health Center on STI and addiction prevention

February 6, Minsk . Parents currently serve as role models for their children, and it's important not to miss this opportunity. This information was shared by Snezhana Kavrigo, head of the City Health Center, during a seminar for doctors on the medical prevention of sexually transmitted infections and various addictions, BELTA reports.

Sexually transmitted infections and addiction issues are, unfortunately, a pressing issue today. At the City Health Center, doctors discussed the best prevention methods for today's youth and how to effectively present information to them.

When working with adolescent addictions, it's important to understand who today's youth trust. Snezhana Kavrigo shared that, according to the center's recent focus group survey results, parents are the primary role models for young people. "It's unexpected, but true. That's why we're saying this period has arrived. And it's important not to miss the opportunity for parents to lead their children. They're now looking at what's accessible, what's nearby, what's closest. And parents need to use their example to explain all issues to their children in an accessible, non-judgmental way," said the center's director.

The center also believes that children need to be informed correctly and promptly. To this end, the City Health Center oversees 10 preventative projects for various population groups. All of them are organized as part of the larger "Minsk – a Healthy City" project. "We work with schoolchildren from the sixth grade onward, with secondary and higher educational institutions, as well as work teams. The topic of STIs is a consistent theme throughout all of our projects. When working with children, it's important to gradually introduce them to this topic, as it's complex and has a psychological aspect. All children are different, and they come from different families. For some, discussing such topics is normal, while for others, it can be psychologically traumatic. That's why we work with a psychologist , among other things ," the director explained.

She also noted that today's teenagers are often more informed and have their own attitudes toward sexual matters. "And that's normal. We need to adapt to the awareness of our youth and explain that infection can occur in various ways. We need to convey that when you engage in adult sexual activity, you bear personal responsibility for your health and the health of the person you come into contact with," Snezhana Kavrigo noted.

The center also focuses on addiction prevention. Starting in sixth grade, children are taught about the dangers of smoking and alcohol, and at an older age, about drug addiction. "But it's important not to overdo the information. Sometimes it can be too much of a distraction. We carefully select specialists who can present the information effectively. We instill in children the idea that once you use a drug, you'll never be the same again."

Snezhana Kavrigo added that if parents notice any changes in their child or realize they need psychological support , they can always contact one of the support centers.