A ddressing the H ealth N eeds of C hildren · Part 2

teachers. They feel scared, ashamed or shy to discuss their problems with them since they believe that these people will get upset and will not be sensitive to their concerns. That is why, we need to encourage them to speak about their personal concern to someone whom they trust. One of the emerging health needs of the adolescents is accessibility and availability of health services for various health issues. The healthcare workers can play an important role in making the services adolescent-friendly and encouraging them to use the health services more often. These services are provided by trained healthcare workers in adolescent-friendly health centres. These centers are being established by the government in the form of adolescent- friendly health clinics. The adolescents feel shy and are reluctant to use health services. Some of the reasons are lack of privacy or confidentiality, lack of patience and sensitivity among the health workers, and also lack of friendly behaviour from them. Role of Peer Educator or Peer Facilitator Training or providing education to some adolescents who can help, educate or counsel other adolescents is emerging as a powerful technique for addressing the health needs of the adolescents. Such adolescents are called as ‘Peer Group Facilitator/Educators’. They can help the adolescents to remove their shyness to talk to their parents, family members and teachers. Training is given to the children of senior classes to understand and guide to the best of their ability to address the health needs of friends, peers, and other children in the community. But at the same time, one should be aware of one’s limitations while giving information regarding sensitive issues and problems. Refer them to teachers or adolescent friendly services for appropriate support. As peer facilitator, Activity . Does your school provide training to be a peer facilitator? If not, please discuss it with your class teacher. Ask your school to take up the training of peer group educator/facilitator. one can help the teacher in organising various activities related to adolescents’ issues and concerns. To be a peer group educator/facilitator, you should •• be a good listener. ••