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November 4, 2010
 P.A.R.T.Y.
is an acronym for Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth. Today, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre launched
their new P.A.R.T.Y. program, a one-day injury awareness and prevention program
for youth in Grade 11. Through guest speakers, videos, and tours of areas of the Health Sciences Centre, teens are encouraged to think
and talk about risks, choices, and consequences.
Deborah Luby, P.A.R.T.Y. Program Coordinator, says the program’s goal is to reduce the incidence of risk-related trauma in youth.
“Although we are able to provide exceptional trauma services, we care about the youth in our community and prefer to educate them
on the consequences of risky behaviour, thereby decreasing the need for trauma care,” she says.
To that end, P.A.R.T.Y. program participants will learn to identify potentially dangerous situations and behaviours through personal
testimony, multimedia presentations and active participation. “We are exposing youth to potential psychological and physical impacts
that result from traumatic injury, using reality education”, Luby explains. “It’s a powerful tactic meant to incrase
their knowledge of the consequences of injury on quality of life for the individual and the community, such as the potential loss of
family, friends, independence, self-esteem and control of their body.”
Bill Otto, Coordinator of Secondary Programs with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, values the P.A.R.T.Y. message. “The
Board is very pleased to be an active partner with TBRHSC on this exciting program. Ensuring the well-being of our students is our main
priority. We participate in the P.A.R.T.Y. program so that our students can be fully equipped to make wise and informed choices,”
he says.
“We really admire the level of care being put forward by the Health Sciences Centre through the P.A.R.T.Y. program. Taking preventative
action to reduce the incidence of risk-related trauma in youth really raises the bar. We are proud to partner with them on this inspiring
initiative,” says Paul Tsekouras, Secondary Program Coordinator with the Lakehead District School Board.
The P.A.R.T.Y. initiative was made possible with the support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. Through a donation
from Sodexo, $3,800 helped fund costs associated with the program. The Foundation also provided an additional $2,000 grant to fund the
production of videos that will familiarize students with areas of the hospital that they would not otherwise have the opportunity to
see.
“No one wants to see the youth of our community in need of emergency or critical care,” says Tracie Smith, Director of
Communications of the Health Sciences Foundation. “Our donors value safety as well as healthcare delivery. Funding the P.A.R.T.Y.
program allows our generous supporters to be part of an initiative that may save lives and prevent injuries. It’s an incredible
return on investment,”
There will be twelve P.A.R.T.Y. program sessions held throughout the year. The program hopes to expand next year to all grade 11 students
in the community and continue the message of injury prevention to ensure a safer and healthier community.
:: click here TBRHSC P.A.R.T.Y. Program info ::
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