We are excited to share that Options for Sexual Health, local partners and the UBC Sexual Health Evaluation Team are launching pilot weekly youth sexual health nights in two rural communities in BC - one in Tofino (Načiks) serving the Westcoast communities and one on Salt Spring Island– beginning this fall!
The clinic in Tofino was launched in partnership with the Coastal Family Resource Coalition of Clayoquot Biosphere Trust. Boat transport support for youth from Opitsaht and Ahousaht is being supported by the Westcoast Primary Care Initiative, with plans underway to also include monthly youth mobile sexual health delivery in Ahousaht.
The youth clinic in Salt Spring Island will be operating adjacent to existing youth drop-in services and in collaboration Circle and other local youth-serving organizations on Salt Spring Island. As a goal to strengthen existing sexual health supports, the pilot on Salt Spring Island is also partnering with Gulf Island Secondary to increased sexual health education within the high school classes by the Options team.
The Youth Sexual Health Nights will provide a confidential, judgment-free, safe, 2S/LGBTQ+ inclusive space for youth ages 15–29 to access sexual health services, education, and resources. Both youth clinics will be facilitated by familiar faces - local Options-certified Sexual Health Educators and Certified Sexual Health Nurses who have been working in the communities and schools for many years, and will be supported by a local youth advisories. In collaboration with UBC sexual health team, clinics will be one-year pilots that will be evaluated to incorporate ongoing youth and provider feedback and ensure the clinics best meet the needs of diverse youth in the communities, as well as help support sustainability and potential expansion to other BC communities.
Youth Sexual Health Nights follow expert consultations that were held last year and have been created and co-designed by youth and provider ideas from local communities of what would help strengthen youth-centred sexual services. The youth-centred sexual health care model includes low-barrier, drop-in sexual health services delivered in non-judgmental and inclusive youth spaces and connected to school-based sexual health education that facilitate linkages to other youth and health care supports. Core components of the model including youth-centred safe and inclusive spaces, bridging barriers for transportation support, consistent service hours that fall outside of school and work time, confidentiality, and linkages to sexual health education within schools. The youth clinics will providing drop-in services for sexual health information, free contraception, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and options counselling, birth control education, referrals, and more. Youth are also welcome to drop in to participate in games, crafts, or simply connect with friends in a safe, inclusive environments.
Contact: Ashleigh Turner (she/her/hers) Communications and Community Engagement Director Office: 604-731-4252 ext 224 Cell: 778-995-7499