AMA (WA) Foundation
AMA Foundation
The Australian Medical Association (WA) Inc has for many years
been both directly and indirectly involved in a range of community
issues. Late in 1996, the AMA (WA) Foundation (a not for profit
organization) was formed with the aim of providing a means through
which the medical profession could reach sections of our community
most in need - our youth.
The broad aims of the Foundation are to help Western Australians
who may be disadvantaged, disabled or engaged in problematic drug
use, or where possible, to help prevent the development of those
conditions.
Shortly after it was established, the Foundation focussed its efforts
on improving the physical and mental well being, of young people
in Western Australia.
Young people are incredibly important to Western Australia. Not
only because they are our society's future, but also because they
possess inherent qualities which enrich our lives in so many ways.
Our youth are part of every ones lives. They are our children,
our siblings, our grandchildren, our relatives, our colleagues,
or our employees. As adults it is our responsibility to teach and
nurture them so they can reach their full potential as caring human
beings in our society.
Unfortunately, for some young people, adolescence represents a
time of storm and stress. They may experience significant psycho-social
difficulties which can affect them for many years to come and in
some instances they act on their desperation, leading to social
problems such as suicide, problematic drug and alcohol use, teen
pregnancy, homelessness and/or crime.
Young people's problems are complex and do not exist in isolation.
A coordinated response is needed to help young people with their
problems. The AMA (WA) Foundation, with the assistance of corporate
sponsors and community organizations, aims to address these problems.
In 1999, there were 123,700 young people aged between 12 and 17 years in Western Australia. According to the Health Department of Western Australia:
- 52% had tried smoking
- 51% had tried an illicit drug
- 90% had tried alcohol
- At the age of 12 years, 50% had tried alcohol
- 38% had used marijuana
- 10% had used LSD or other hallucinogens
- 14% had used amphetamines
The Morris Report estimated that in 1994, there were 21,000 young
people aged 12 -18 years that were homeless. Homeless young people
are clearly at greater risk of becoming victims of criminal activity
than their peers due to a street lifestyle which often entails
prostitution, drug dealing, theft, and other illegal activities
which provide them with a means of survival.
In 1998, more than 2212 young people in Western Australia between
the ages of 15 - 24 were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted
disease. Ten of these young people were diagnosed with HIV.
Each year, approximately 13,000 Australian girls aged between
12 and 17 years have babies - a rate that has virtually unchanged
for two decades despite sex education and contraception. These
rates do not include the number of teenage girls who fall pregnant
and opt for a termination of pregnancy.
There are no easy answers to the problems that young people face
today.
To help address some of these issues, the Foundation has initially
prioritized a number of key areas of activity - with the aim to
improve the access young people have to health care and support
services.
Youth Friendly Doctor Training Program
Through the AMA, the Foundation is currently running challenging
workshops with the aim of empowering general practitioners with
the knowledge and skills to provide a youth friendly service. In
a dynamic and interactive workshop setting, issues of family conflict,
eating disorders, depression, sexual health, self-harm and suicide
are discussed.
General practitioners have a crucial role to play in improving
the status of young people's health, both through advocacy and
the primary health care role.
- General practitioners see more young people than any other
doctor.
- General practitioners are well placed to detect, initiate
management and where appropriate provide continuing care for
a young person with depression.
- Many adult disorders such as depression and schizophrenia
have their origin in adolescence. Early detection and intervention
improves prognosis of such conditions.
- Adolescence is a time when young people are still forming
their value systems and experimenting with new behaviours. In
contrast to the developmental stage of children, adolescents
are acquiring the cognitive skills necessary to manage their
own health and to understand health promotion messages.
- Adolescence is a time where young people can develop positive
health care behaviours despite what has occurred in childhood.
A GP can make an enormous difference with the right attitude,
approach and intervention.
Dr YES Program
During the year medical students having been trained by health professionals
are conducting sessions for year 10 - 12 high school students -
throughout the metropolitan area. Over 130 medical students have
participated in the program (on a voluntary basis) and have delivered
workshops at schools throughout the metropolitan area. Topics covered
include drugs and alcohol, suicide, depression and sexual health.
This course for medical students developed by the AMA Foundation,
has become part of the undergraduate medical curriculum at the
University of Western Australia in 2001 and will form a compulsory
component of the undergraduate medical studies in 2002.
Support and Advocacy For Doctors And Young People
Doctors who complete the Youth Friendly Doctor program and young
people who seek assistance are provided with support and information
from the AMA.
To maintain and implement a number of innovative youth programs,
the AMA (WA) Foundation needs the support and financial assistance
of the community of Western Australia. Support of the AMA (WA)
Foundation is an investment in the improvement of young people's
health and well being. An investment in the future of our State.
As a caring community, it is our responsibility to ensure that
young people have a nurturing environment in which they can learn
and grow into responsible, caring adults. Unfortunately not all
young people have the same experiences and opportunities in their
childhood and adolescent years.
The AMA (WA) Foundation aims to reduce the impact that social
inequalities have on the health and well being of young people.
This will be achieved through many innovative programs that the
Foundation will implement in the next 5 - 10 years.
As a caring community, this project offers an investment for
our future.... The young people of Western Australia.
Project Officers: Ms Lisa Courtis.
Medical Students: Ms Deanne Chiu, Mr Andrew Finlayson
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