We provides sexual health guidance to young people

For more than 20 years, East Tallinn Central Hospital’s Youth Clinic has been a reliable partner to young people, offering counselling on issues related to sexual health.

The advantages of the Youth Clinic are its accessibility and its ability to provide quick solutions: school and university students can come for an appointment with a gynaecologist without the long lines and test for sexually transmitted diseases, learn about contraceptives, get help in the event of unwanted pregnancy, etc. Most patients at the clinic are aged between 15-25 and are mostly interested in contraceptives, sexual counselling, gynaecological examinations and test taking.

According to midwife Anastassia, most young people are not afraid to come on site to the clinic. Sometimes they come with their mothers, but in such situations, there is a risk that the child cannot share what is actually troubling them and will therefore not get the help needed. “The presence of a parent tends to be restrictive rather than reinforcing for the young person – it makes the conversation more tense.”

Those afraid to share what is troubling them are less likely to come to the Youth Clinic. “Sometimes they are afraid to seek help because they fear others will learn of their problem somehow. They worry that their parents will know something they don’t want to share with them,” said Anastassia providing some insight.

Young people would do better to prioritise their own health and not the opinions of others. Regular check-ups provide a sense of security about staying on the right path. Young women and men usually come to the clinic by themselves, having heard about it from a friend, through the media or from school. Occasionally, parents also make an appointment.

During the emergency situation in spring 2020, there were no in-person appointments and young people were consulted over the phone. Unfortunately, remote appointments do not include examinations or testing. As of summer, appointments are back to normal. Past experience has shown that young people prefer to come on site in person.

Employees at the Youth Clinic care about their work and there are some young people whose memory stays with them for many years. “There was a case, more than 10 years ago now, where a pregnant girl came to us with doubts about whether to keep the baby or not. After a long discussion, explanations and some time to consider, she decided to continue with the pregnancy and have the baby. We still keep in touch with her. I’m glad that she is now a happy mother and has never once had regrets. Every year, on her child’s birthday she calls me to say thank you. I was there to support her when she needed help and kept her from making the biggest mistake of her life,” said midwife Anastassia, sharing a story with a happy ending.

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