Empowering teens to make informed decisions about their sexual health is crucial during adolescence. To foster open and stigma-free conversations on this topic, The Teen Health 360 Program, part of VHS: Department of Pediatrics, Community Health and Research Division, is organizing an open call surrounding the theme:Ìý
My Health, My Choice: What Does Empowering Teen Sexual Health and STI Prevention look like?
This open call aims to engage the community in a dialogue to solicit voices and ideas that support teens in understanding and managing their sexual health. The goals of the open call include:
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Empowering teens with knowledge, resources, and confidence to navigate STI prevention, testing, and treatment without barriers.
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Expanding access to sexual health education and healthcare services to ensure teens receive timely and accurate information.
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Reducing stigma and fostering safe, supportive environments where teens can openly engage with trusted adults and access necessary care.
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Who can participate?
This open call is open to anyone and everyone—youth, adults, families, and community organizations alike. Submissions can come from individuals, teams, or organizations. They especially welcome entries that reflect collaborative efforts, such as family submissions involving school-age youth alongside their parents/guardians, grandparents, or other trusted adults. In addition, they invite submissions from Â鶹´«Ã½â€”including students, faculty, and staff—who bring unique insights and diverse experiences to the conversation on empowering teen sexual health.
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What are they looking for?
They welcome many forms of original submissions, including:
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Narratives: Write a story or share an experience (800 words max)
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Poems or lyrics
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Images: Submit a picture, drawing, infographic, or painting (please add a caption/short description of the key messages illustrated by the image or images)
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Audio or video: Maximum 5 minutes
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Mixed Media: Combine storytelling, visuals, audio, or video
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Prizes and Benefits:
A total of $2,500 in prizes will be awarded for exceptional winning submissions, ranging from $25 to $200 in the form of Amazon e-gift cards. Winning submissions will receive a Certificate of Award and be shared with the community, via the websites and social media channels of VHS and partners.
Selected finalists may be invited to join the 2025 Teen Health 360 Open Call Steering Committee or Judging Team.
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Note: Submissions created using AI will be disqualified from judging.
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All submissions must be submitted by May 23, 2025. For more information or questions, please contact TeenHealth360@evms.edu or Eden Moges (mogese@odu.edu).Ìý
