Help is out there for our youth

June 16 commemorates Youth Day highlighting the important role the youth play in our society's development and their growth journey towards becoming our future leaders.

Unfortunately, this important role is overlooked and the youth are neglected resulting in self-destructive, dangerous and sometimes even life threatening behaviour which affects society as a whole.

Fedhealth Marketing Executive, Peter Jordaan says that the youth of today are plagued by more peer pressure and stress than ever before. They often feel alone and become despondent with a feeling of helpless and hopelessness with no one to turn to. He assures teenagers that help is available through The Fedhealth Teen Line.

This, he says, is accessible through Fedhealth's bouquet of Fedhealth Nurse services for members which already includes advice on assessing day-to-day symptoms; emergency medical advice; health knowledge; drugs; poisoning, health counselling and stress management.

Jordaan continues to say that the Teen Line offers advice for troubled teenager members on physical, emotional and sexual questions and/or problems they may be experiencing. "The teen is spoken to in their home language and advice is given with respect and confidentially."

The Teen Line is run by a team of professional experts and nurses who are trained to address such issues in a sensitive manner.

"Talking is part of healing. Teens can often cope with heartbreak very well and are a lot stronger than they or we may think. They often just need to be given some coping tools and techniques to get them through a problem situation," says Jordaan.

"The important message is that teenagers should not feel alone," concludes Jordaan.

The Teen Line service is reserved for Fedhealth members only and details can be found on the Fedhealth website on http://www.fedhealth.co.za/