School's out for the class of 2024 and WA Health wants Year 12 students headed to Leavers' celebrations to be prepared – and to practise safe sex.
The annual State Government run event in Dunsborough – this year from November 17 to 22 – aims to provide leavers with an opportunity to safely celebrate the end of school with their friends.
The Department of Health is working with other government agencies and organisations to provide on-the-ground support and health care for those attending this year's Leavers' event.
WA Health's Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program Manager Lisa Bastian encouraged leavers to be prepared and pack condoms.
"Young people are less likely to engage in risky behaviours if they have had the opportunity to talk and plan ahead of time," she said.
"We need to be talking to our teens about respect, consent, contraception, sexually transmissible infections (STIs), condoms and where to go if they need help.
"WA Health has partnered with the Western Australian Aids Council (WAAC) to give out condoms at Leavers with this year's condom wallet design chosen from a social media competition.
"Parents should be talking to their teenagers about informed decision making and how this might be impacted when celebrating, especially when alcohol and other drugs may be involved," Ms Bastian said.
She reminded teens who had unprotected sex during leavers to make sure they get tested for STIs.
WA Health's website, Get the Facts, has a lot of great information to help young people prepare for Leavers and includes where to access condoms and STI testing.
