Let's Talk About Sex

Straight Talk – For All Ages, a free program designed to motivate teenagers, young adults and senior citizens to talk about topics including sex education, STDs and responsible decision making, will begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday (March 3) at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Academic Classroom Building, 3601 Fourth St.

Straight Talkis a community-based program supported by more than 60 community organizations, businesses and individuals. This year’s program is divided into two sections: Teen Straight Talk and Straight Talk – For All Ages.

Straight Talk – For All Ages is new to the program’s lineup, and is intended for college students and senior citizens, said Co-Chairs Kathleen McPherson and Linda Brice, Ph.D., R.N. McPherson said it is important to focus on men and women in their 20s and those 55 and older, as STD rates between these two groups continue to grow.

“STD rates among senior citizens have tripled and seniors are now one of the fastest growing segments the population contracting STDs, including HIV,” Brice said. “We wanted to make sure that they are educated about STDs and provide other medical related information.”

Teen Straight Talk

The first part of the teen program is presented by professional counselors, TTUHSC faculty and psychologists from the Lubbock community and surrounding areas of West Texas, and allows for open discussions on topics listed below that have led to the high rate of teen problems like depression, eating disorders, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse and sometimes teen pregnancies and STDs:

• Teen pressures


• Dealing with peer pressures


• Depression


• Bullying


• Body image and self-esteem problems

The second part of the teen program presents the “Big Decision,” a comprehensive sex education program provided by TTUHSC OB-GYN faculty and residents, medical students, nursing faculty and nursing students. This program helps to open the lines of communication by instructing with pictures, diagrams and dialogue, along with providing resource materials for adults and adolescents on topics including:

• How the body works


• Abstinence, sexual responsibility and consequences


• STDs


• Contraceptives and protection


• Protecting yourself from sexual abuse

Straight Talk — For All Ages              

Senior citizens and other adults interested in STD education may attend two presentations: “STDs, How They Affect the Body and Protection,” and “Staying Healthy With Good Nutrition.”

College students may join a discussion about sex, STDs, contraception and protection. The second presentation for college students will be, “Texting and Driving.”

Numerous community programs, including Texas Tech Physicians — OB-GYN, will have booths explaining their resources. School of Nursing students will also have educational posters and pamphlets on many health topics and offer blood pressure screenings. The City of Lubbock Health Department will provide free Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and the Lubbock Regional Mental Health Mental Retardation Center will offer free HIV and syphilis testing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free child care for children ages 9 or younger will be available.

Everyone who attends Straight Talk will receive a free lunch, snacks and informational goodie bags.

For more information, contact Straight Talk Co-Chairs McPherson at (806) 743-2463, ext. 229 or email kathleen.mcpherson@ttuhsc.edu or Brice at (806) 241-3652 or linda.brice@ttuhsc.edu.

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