High school students learn how to handle traumatic situations

The March Break P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) program taught high school students about injury awareness and prevention.

It’s not a typical party you would find high school students at but more than 28 students in York Region spent a day of their March Break learning how to handle traumatic situations thanks to a unique program at Southlake Health in Newmarket.

Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth or P.A.R.T.Y is a one-day injury awareness and prevention program for students in grades 10, 11 and 12.

“I’m here to gain more knowledge and exposure to all the risk-related and alcohol injuries that can come into the emergency department,” said Ming Qisong, an Aurora High School student.

The program has been running in many health care centres across the region and doctors like Dr. Leeor Sommer said it’s vital for teens.

“We really feel it’s important for this age group in particular because they’re at high risk for accidental injury, preventable injury when it comes to making smart decisions, making decisions surrounding alcohol and other drug use,” said Sommer.

Students got a chance to talk with York Regional police and York Region Paramedics to get an inside look on how they deal with traumatic incidents.

They also took part in Stop the Bleed Program, showing how to prevent and treat significant injuries.

“Bleeding emergencies can happen anywhere, and they’re the number one preventable cause of death following injury,” said Kylie Mccomish, injury prevention associate. “If we can equip more members of the public with the ability to do something about that, then we’re willing.”

Guest speakers included people like Scott Wollin who have experienced a trauma hoping to connect with students to think twice before making a decision.

“It’s a bit of a therapy for me too but I really feel like if I can connect with the kids on kind of a one-on-one level or a humorous level, and I can relate with them, then I can explain to them the dangers of doing some dumb things and sometimes the consequences, unfortunately, last forever,” said Wollin.

Dr. Sommer explained these types of incidents can happen to anyone.

“Motor vehicle collisions, scooter injuries, biking injuries, all sorts of sporting injuries that tend to happen more in the summer than they do in the winter,” Sommer explained.

Students were able to take away valuable lessons in the process.

“I have to be a lot more careful and like, not make careless decisions,” said Dion Mohammady, a student at Richmond Hill High School. “It’s very important that you also watch out for your friends.”

The students will walk away certified with the P.A.R.T.Y program and Stop the Bleed training preparing them to handle trauma situations for the next two years.