Press Release
Amy Cannonamy.cannon@centerstone.org
October 13, 2005
Centerstone's Successful Abstinence-Based
Education Project Begins Year Two
Nashville, Tennessee – Centerstone, Middle Tennessee's leading provider of behavioral health services, is embarking on its second year of abstinence-based education for middle and high school students throughout rural Middle Tennessee counties. The project, MyChoice2Wait, is a product of a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Last year, students within Coffee, Dickson, Giles, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Maury, Stewart and Wayne county school districts took part in the program during their science and health classes. In addition to these counties, Lincoln County will be taking part in the project this year with lessons designed to teach students the benefits of avoiding sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), developing healthy relationships, and encouraging emotional and physical health through abstinence. When tested on all of these lessons last year, students who participated in MyChoice2Wait showed a greater understanding of the importance of abstinence. Several other counties have shown interest after such a successful first year and are in talks with MyChoice2Wait to implement this project in their school systems.
“MyChoice2Wait has developed into a very promising abstinence educational program. This is a program that will help youth to make choices for their lives that will lead to positive self enhancing results,” said John Page, Centerstone’s senior vice president for child, adolescent and family services. “This is a program that empowers, builds confidence, and helps youth to develop into positive, self directed, and productive individuals. Centerstone is proud of the Prevention Specialists and their supervisors, who have devoted their lives to encouraging young people to make healthy choices. ”
Camille Lashlee, Prevention Program Manager, is looking forward to educating the communities as a whole this coming year. “Centerstone's MyChoice2Wait staff has been able to make essential contacts in each of the targeted communities. This will enable them to provide education and information to community leaders, youth and parents regarding the benefits of sexual abstinence,” Lashlee said.
Research has shown that parents are the single most significant influence in the development their child. MyChoice2Wait will inform parents about the importance of abstinence when it comes to their child’s physical and emotional health. Lashlee concludes, “In this day and time in our society, there are many enticing influences that engage youth in destructive behaviors. It is important for our youth to have facts and resources in order to make informed choices. During the second year of the MyChoice2Wait project, our staff will be able to reach many more youth and adults with this important message.”
MyChoice2Wait aims to reduce the risks and unfavorable outcomes associated with sexual activity among teens. The most recent studies show that in the counties where MyChoice2Wait will be implemented, the teen pregnancy rates are 54 per every 1,000 teens; this exceeds the nation's declining rate of 43 per every 1,000 teens. Additionally, according to the Tennessee Department of Health, about 15 percent of Tennessee's 15,000 induced abortions in 2001 were performed in rural communities. These areas also reported substantial increases in STD rates between 2001 and 2002.
MyChoice2Wait is also currently developing a media campaign which will include a comprehensive website. The site will be a valuable resource for teens, parents, and educators who want to learn more about teen sexual activity and the value of abstinence until marriage.
The grant is for three years, but the project is expected to continue indefinitely through the various educators and community groups who will see the value of the program and adopt it as their own. Centerstone will evaluate the success of MyChoice2Wait in Middle Tennessee in order to contribute to the body of research regarding teenage sexual abstinence.
About Centerstone
Centerstone is the largest behavioral healthcare provider in Tennessee and the ninth largest in the nation. This non-profit organization provides a full range of behavioral health and related educational services to individuals of all ages and their families. Centerstone is also devoted to research that seeks to identify, treat, and eliminate mental illness. As a result of a merger process involving separate organizations that began in December 1997, the Centerstone name is now used by: Dede Wallace Center, Luton Mental Health Services, Harriett Cohn Center, Columbia Area Mental Health Center and Highland Rim Mental Health Center. Each year, the organization provides services to more than 45,000 individuals. The Centerstone network includes more than 60 facilities throughout the Middle Tennessee region. For more information on Centerstone, visit www.centerstone.org.
