Creating safe supportive environments for young people at Adelaide Schoolies Festival

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Presenters: Alison Hutton

Organisation: Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Date of Presentation: 20/10/2014

Abstract:

AIM:
To discuss how a primary health care framework is used to provide the necessary lens through which to examine the safety of young people participating in Schoolies Festivals.
METHOD:
In partnership with the community harm reduction measures, such as, ‘party safely’ and ‘look after your mates’ where used to increase the safety of the event. Strategies used where volunteers, to provide pastoral care, free bus services and a ticketed dry area. The effectiveness of these strategies were measured in the number of patient presentations and qualitative data from schoolies.
RESULTS:
Patient presentations reduced, especially in the areas, of minor injuries, and intoxication. Schoolies felt that the strategies being used helped support them during the Schoolies event. They felt that they were not judged by the volunteers and that they were their to ensure their safety.
CONCLUSION:
The key health messages of safe partying and look after your mates have been developed specifically to target this group. Through understanding this motivation we were able to develop health messages around this celebration.