With the hormonal and psychological changes, boys are more likely to exhibit behavioural problems like aggressive behaviour, such as fighting and bullying; and girls are more likely to suffer emotional problems such as anxiety and depression.Young people are more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections than adults & girls more than boys. Misconceptions, tendency to experiment and an environment which makes discussing issues around sexuality taboo adds to their vulnerability.In the present era, we are witnessing a phenomenal advancement in technology. Technology has influenced the way we think about life and threatened interpersonal human relations. Friends are now inside the computer, chatting on the net, creating society with growing numbers of self-centred individuals oblivious to the society around. At the “Celebrating Life” Training workshop for Principals of colleges of Red Ribbon Clubs, participants were engaged in creating solutions to the challenges they face, incorporating youth development through approaches like self-awareness, promoting responsible behaviour, building capacity of the youth through open dialogue.Dr Rajesh Guleri, District Health Officer stated that youth is the critical phase of career building, lack of responsible behaviour and tendency to experiment, inability to cope with stress can lead to experimentation with drugs and loss of vision in life.
Chief Medical Officer Kangra Dr GD Gupta stated that the trained youth will become role models among the youth and further communicate with their peers to promote informed & responsible choices, setting one boundaries, gender sensitivity, be Bold” to talk about HIV AIDS & say “NO” to negative peer pressures.Vijay Kumar resource person deliberated on difference between infatuation/ attraction, and love. discussed concept of “Responsible relationship”. Youth reiterated that they will go into relationship only after building their academic capacity, financial capacity and also the social compatibility for a healthy & successful life. Nikhil Sharma resource person enhanced self-esteem & confidence of youth with the commitments- “I value myself”; youth set their self-control with the pledge “I Set My Boundaries”; they accepted the values of mutual respect with the statement “I Care about Everyone” & “I enjoy my rights with responsibility”.Dr RK Sood, District AIDS Programme Officer shared that the Red Ribbon Club training aims to empower youth with knowledge, skills, resources & opportunities to enhance life-skills, so that youth can take informed & responsible healthy choices. The trained will further interact with young people to inspire their peers to “be Bold” to say NO to negative peer pressures, shared.33 faculty from colleges, universities and technical institutions around the district participated in the Celebrating life workshop.