PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A jam-packed programme with dancing, a band, information sessions and prizes formed part of the youth zone launch at the Kwanokuthula Community Day Centre (CDC) on Friday 24 June.
"We want the youth to know that we are here to provide a service for them, and they should make use of it," said operational manager Thobeka Mkhwanazi.
"I want our youth to be involved with their clinic because there will come a time when they will need a service from us and they should never hesitate to do so.
"I hope that through this event we could give a better sense of our youth-friendly services and also our great staff that render those services."
The ward councillor in Kwano-kuthula, Samkelo Mangxaba, spoke about the importance of youth and especially the youth of Kwanokuthula who will benefit from the services. He said he was happy that the clinic is opening such an opportunity for young people to access services without fear and encouraged the community to make use of such platforms.
"Issues of mental health have been a challenge to the youth, especially depression, and now there are services and people who will listen to whatever issues the young people are faced with and assist without being judgmental," he said.
A registered counsellor at Kwanokuthula CDC, Mampe Phoshoko, also spoke about the challenges that youth face, which include mental health challenges. "I see a lot of patients with depression and substance abuse. We work closely with other stakeholders such as Knysna Alcohol and Drug Centre (KADC). We also see children under the age of 18 years with behavioural challenges who are referred for further treatment," she said. During her speech Phoshoko made the audience dance. "I want us to celebrate our unique bodies and not compare it to those of others.
"We each have our own unique talents and offerings to this community and the world at large."
The clinic also offers family planning, an important aspect of youth services. Women's health coordinator Lumka Mrabalala explained reproductive rights and the services on offer and Sr Thobeka reminded the youth that they have a special room in the clinic where the youth can access the services on offer.
"The youth room is open Monday to Friday from 14:00 to 16:00, but they will also be consulted as usual before those times. We plan to have monthly activities in our Youth Zone where we will deal with different topics affecting the youth and invite our stakeholders on rotation to bring in their expertise," she said.
Youth services on offer address the following:
- Family planning
- HIV/Aids and TB
- Mental health/illness
- Substance abuse
- Health promotion
Management thanked the stakeholders on the day: Standard Bank, Love Life, Bitou Municipality, Building the Walls, HOPE, Youth for Christ, Kwanokuthula CDC staff, Bring Hope Foundation, SHE and KADC.
Primary Health Care Manager for Knysna/Bitou, Petronella Peters and local ward councillor Samkelo Mangxaba during the official opening.
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