Sexual Health Awareness Week & RCPI host free public meeting Let’s talk about sex: Communication and sexual health throughout our lives chaired by broadcaster Ray D’Arcy
7 November 2013
Ireland’s second National Sexual Health Awareness Week (SHAW) is taking place 12 – 14 November 2013 in Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and as part of this national campaign the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) will host a free public meeting, Let’s talk about sex: Communication and sexual health throughout our lives, On Tuesday Nov 12 at 6pm chaired by Today FM broadcaster Ray D’Arcy. The aim of this public meeting is to promote good communication around sexual health from childhood to old age.
Among the speakers is Mr David Coleman, clinical psychologist, RTE broadcaster and author, giving a talk entitled, ‘But I only wanted to know where babies come from – Communicating with young children about sex’. During his talk David will discuss when and how to talk to young children about sex and how parents can be clear about their own family values and sharing those with small children.
The second speaker, Prof Susan Rosenthal, Professor of Behavioral Medicine in Paediatrics and Psychiatry from Columbia University in New York, specialises in working with adolescents. Prof Rosenthal will be giving a talk entitled ‘Parents and Adolescents: Talking to Each Other about Sex’. During her presentation she will look at adolescents and sexual behavior, parenting types, and how to give the right message to your adolescent about sex.
Ms Deborah Mulvany, psychologist and broadcaster, will also present a talk entitled ‘Hold Me Tight: Adult Communication and Sexual Well-being’. In her talk she will discuss communication in long term relationships, the cycles of sexual intimacy through the course of a relationship and how it constantly changes. And we will hear from Professor Agnes Higgins, Associate Professor in mental Health and Chair of the Irish Institute of Mental Health Nursing, on ‘Communicating about sexual health with Older Adults’.
The theme of this year’s SHAW is Communication and Sexual Health because honest, supportive and inclusive communication is vital when it comes to our sexual health and sexuality. Speakers at SHAW will talk about how to have effective and positive conversations about relationships and sexuality with children, partners, older people, caregivers and people with an intellectual disability, whether it’s at home or in a professional setting.
The overall ethos of SHAW is supportive and inclusive, and the range of organisations holding workshops during SHAW reflects just this – RCPI is delighted to welcome the HSE Gay Health Network, the Irish Family Planning Association, St John of God, Rape Crisis Network Ireland, the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme, AIDSWEST , NUI Galway, and DCU School of Nursing on board for SHAW. Some SHAW workshops for professionals will deal with sensitive issues, such as the sexual health and education needs of young people in care, practitioners’ obligations in reporting child protection concerns, and preventing sexual violence.
Cate Hartigan, HSE Head of Health Promotion and Improvement, Health & Wellbeing Division said; “Effective and positive conversations about sex are important to our health and wellbeing. Sexual Health Awareness Week provides an opportunity for health care professionals, practitioners and the public to learn more about sexual health, how to have conversations about sexual health with patients, family and partners and to link with others involved in the provision of sexual health care and services in Ireland.”
Dr Fiona Lyons, Consultant in Genitourinary and HIV Medicine at St James Hospital and spokesperson for SHAW, said; “The theme of this year’s SHAW is Communication and Sexual Health because honest, supportive and inclusive communication is vital when it comes to our sexual health and sexuality. Speakers at SHAW will talk about how to have effective and positive conversations about relationships and sexuality with children, partners, older people, caregivers and people with an intellectual disability, whether it’s at home or in a professional setting.”
On Nov 14 from 4.30 to 6.30pm there will also be an event open to the public, Sexual Health for Young Adults: What helps us make good decisions in our romantic lives? During this event, facilitated by Dublin GAA All Star Bernard Brogan and Republic of Telly and The Fear star Fred Cooke, shortlisted entrants to our competition for Transition Year students, who submitted an essay or an expression piece, will be asked to read their essay to the judging panel, while those shortlisted for the alternative expression piece will be asked to perform their expression piece for the judges. Entries will be on display for the duration of the event. The overall winner of the competition will be chosen on the night and presented with their prize.
For further information on SHAW and to register for the above events please go to www.rcpi.ie/shaw
