Debunking The Myths secures further funding to provide free sexual health education to secondary school students nationwide

February 28, 2024by debunkingthemyths.ie
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Debunking the Myths secures further funding from SFI. RCSI Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with The Rotunda Hospital Dublin has secured €287,000 to run a second edition of “Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health”. The nationwide education programme returns in 2024 with more exciting workshops, online campaigns and new resources...

Debunking the Myths secures further funding from SFI. RCSI Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with The Rotunda Hospital Dublin has secured €287,000 to run a second edition of “Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health”. The nationwide education programme returns in 2024 with more exciting workshops, online campaigns and new resources for teachers. 

 In today’s climate of misinformation, “Debunking the Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health” will continue its mission to empower Ireland’s teenagers with evidence-based sexual health education thanks to the renewal of funding by Science Foundation Ireland through the Discover Programme. 

The team are committed to equipping teenagers with essential lifelong health literacy skills, empowering them to navigate the complex landscapes of sexual and reproductive health with confidence into their adult years. The new iteration of the programme will also offer free resources for secondary school teachers, a dedicated workshop for parents, and deepen discussions with teens on taboo topics such as menstruation, STIs and sexual health for LGBT+ People, addressing unique health needs, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. As part of the programme, the team are also excited to kick off a series of social media campaigns where healthcare experts will be answering questions from the students of past workshops addressing important topics like contraception, tackling misinformation prevalent online.  

This impactful initiative has made significant strides in providing essential information to adolescents through educational workshops, social media campaigns and roadshows. With the support of the SFI Discover Programme and The Rotunda Foundation in 2022-2023, the Debunking The Myths workshops reached more than 1,900 teenagers in-person, and a staggering 7,700 students from 23 counties in virtual workshops. 

One of the project’s unique features is its multidisciplinary approach, which brings together a diverse team of expert healthcare professionals and researchers, spanning specialties such as obstetrics, gynaecology, infectious disease, health psychology, sexual assault treatment, emergency medicine, and general practice. Topics include information directly in line with the government’s Women’s Health Action Plan 2022-2023, SFI Strategy 2025 and the RSE curriculum, including the HPV vaccine, contraception, menstruation, STI prevention and fertility. 

Professor Fergal Malone, programme lead and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at RCSI School of Medicine said: “This second round of funding marks a very exciting time for us all at RCSI Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and we look forward to engaging with many more students, teachers and parents over the next two years. This is the only health programme that gives teenagers the opportunity to discuss questions in relation to their sexual health with a team of medical experts. Young people are more online than ever, and we need to ensure that the information they receive is factual, relevant, and most of all, safe.” 

If you want to get in touch with the ‘Debunking The Myths: The Science Behind Our Sexual Health’ team you can visit our website www.debunkingthemyths.ie,  or our social media on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter (X)  @debunkingmyths_  You can also send an email to debunkingthemyths@rcsi.ie. 

 

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