SELF-CARE: YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING CONTROL!

According to World Heath Organisation (WHO) “self-care is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.” The WHO has developed guidelines for self-care, which aim to promote health and prevent illness through a range of tools and approaches that individuals can control themselves.

Self-care is the power of individuals to prevent and treat diseases themselves, in the context of a safe and supportive enabling environment. It does not replace the health care system but instead provides additional choices and options for health care.

This self-care resource has been developed to support young people in all their diversities to have the information, confidence and agency to gain the greatest benefits of using self-care services and commodities. This can also be used by organisations working with young people in all their diversities, including donors, international agencies, NGOs, government departments, implementing organisations, advocacy and media organisations.

Self-care for young people is about health and well-being, self-awareness, feeling happy and in control of our lives, being ready for change and making changes and being connected with friends, family and the communities where we live, work, go to school.

Self-care looks different for each young person. It depends on who you are, what you need and what is important for your life. Self-care includes physical, mental and emotional well-being. That means when we are supporting young people to understand what self-care means for their whole person, not just their health.

“Growing up, I have experienced pressure from those around me to be happy and healthy, but I have been constantly disappointed with the results. This has caused me to become depressed, making me believe that I am not loved. It has had a significant effect on my life, leading me to become isolated and unable to make proper connections with people. Once I learned about the importance of self-care, I have been able to make changes in my life and become more aware of my own needs and how to take care of them. I have also begun to recognise that I am not alone and can ask for help when needed. This has enabled me to form meaningful connections with those around me and to appreciate the love and support they have to offer.” - Lusungu’s self-care journey - Malawi

"Where self-care and healthcare intersect, there’s a potential to amplify the benefits for the health of individuals and the population. The unmet need for sexual and reproduction health is very substantial, this is something that requires urgent attention and innovative solutions.” - Y+ Kenya Twitter space speaker

Some young people will feel more confident about using different self-care services and commodities, others will need support to understand and use them on their own. Self-care is about making sure that young people no matter their background, gender, HIV status or where they live can get the health services they need.

Self-care doesn’t mean you are alone. You can always get more information and support about self-care from health workers, peer educators, pharmacies and other people in the know about self-care.

Self-care is practical. Self-care saves time and money. Self-care helps to minimise overcrowding of clinics and hospitals.