PPEP Talk® Schools Program

PPFA is committed to supporting teenagers who suffer severe period pain, pelvic pain and endometriosis to allow them to fulfill their potential and live the best life possible. To do this, we are committed to bringing medically responsible, positive and interactive education to schools in Australia.

In 2017, the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia funded a trial schools program in Adelaide, South Australia. PPFA brought the New Zealand based Menstrual Education (ME) Program to Adelaide to demonstrate the acceptability of schools education in Australia. We collaborated with the Royal Adelaide Hospital Pain Management Unit to fully evaluate the program.

On 21st November 2018, the PPFA-developed PPEP Talk® program was launched. The Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program for Schools is bringing the latest in modern knowledge and the new neuroscience of pain to South Australian teens. It is the first state roll-out of the program, with the intention that it progress to a roll out in all Australian Schools. The program is funded by both State and Federal Governments.

From March 2019 – June 2020 PPEP Talk® has visited 80 Government, Catholic and Independent secondary girls and co-educational schools, with over 90 sessions being completed overall. We have visited a mix of both metropolitan and regional schools. Over 4000 students and 300 teachers, principals or school counsellors/nurses participated and completed pre/post evaluations. Students attending PPEP Talk® range between the ages of 12-19 years of age.

Students at Penola High School, South Australia.

The program includes:

• a 1 hour positive, fun, educational and interactive program that talks about pain, periods and endometriosis, developed by Educator and Journalist Libby Parker, in collaboration with Gynecologist, Pain Medicine Physician and PPFA Chair, Dr Susan Evans
• an opportunity for individual students to discuss their personal pain circumstances with a PPFA-trained educator following the presentation. Educators are supported with medical advisors to ensure the information provided is accurate and helpful
• the provision of a book on Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain to each school for their library
• a guide to further resources, information and services that students and their families can use if their pain is distressing
• tailored program for girls, boys or special education students

PPEP Talk® fits seamlessly with the National Action Plan for Endometriosis (NAPE) launched by Minister Greg Hunt in December 2017. It is part of a new life path for students with pain that starts with community awareness, supports accurate information provision to teens and families in schools, leads on to a digital platform of information and development.

If your school would like a PPEP Talk®, please email us at ppeptalk@pelvicpain.org.au

or call us on P: 08 8291 7923; or M: 0403 804 808

Schools in South Australia can register for inclusion of their school now. Schools in other states will be able to indicate interest for when their state chooses to offer PPEP Talk® to support their girls and families.

If your state would like to enquire about the PPEP Talk® program, PPFA is ready and able to extend the program throughout Australia.