Geelong youth face the consequences of risky behaviour

This month, trauma experts from The Alfred, Barwon Health, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police delivered confronting and important messages to Year 11 students from across the Geelong region, and a survivor shared his story during the three-day P.A.R.T.Y. Outreach.

Trauma is responsible for two-thirds of deaths in the 15 to 25-year-old age group, with many young survivors sustaining permanent disabilities.

P.A.R.T.Y. Outreach replicated a hospital setting at the Geelong Conference Centre in order to accommodate the 400 students.

Acting Director of Trauma Services at The Alfred, Dr Joseph Mathew, said by delivering injury awareness messages based on real life experiences it’s hoped the students will think twice about participating in risk taking behaviours.

“The P.A.R.T.Y. program is an interactive injury awareness and prevention program that uses vivid clinical reality to show participants the consequences that can occur when engaging in risk-taking behaviour,” Dr Mathew said.

“The consequences of taking risks can be life-long, for both the victims and families.”

Developed by a nurse in Canada 30 years ago, the program has historically been delivered in the hospital environment, following the journey of a trauma patient. The Outreach program has since evolved in order to reach a greater number of youth. 

The in-hospital P.A.R.T.Y. program has been running at The Alfred since 2009 and the Outreach program since 2012. 

For more information, please contact Janet McLeod, Senior Program Coordinator on (03) 9076-8888 or visit www.partyalfred.org.au.