Medical students promote youth health through presentations at The Senior School

The Medical School recently visited The Senior School in Nicosia to deliver two educational presentations to high school students on substance abuse and stress management.

These sessions are part of an initiative led by the Mobile Clinic Club, which aims to promote healthier lifestyle choices, address common misconceptions about health and well-being and engage high school students through presentations on a range of health topics.

The first presentation, focusing on substance abuse, took place on 3 April. It was delivered by undergraduate-entry MD students Seif Cattan and Catherine Morley, as well as graduate-entry MD students Abdel Fadel and Jose Emile El Hage.

The session examined why adolescents are particularly vulnerable to drug use, explained how substances affect brain function, and outlined how drug use can progress to addiction. The presenters also challenged common myths and misconceptions about substance use, highlighted key warning signs of potential abuse, and provided students with practical, healthy coping strategies.

The second presentation, held on 24 April, focused on stress management and was delivered by undergraduate-entry MD students Suubi Ann Nanseko Sebuyira, Christina Evangelou and Sophia Karen Gaiganis and graduate-entry MD student Christos Tzivanopoulos.

The session explored the differences between positive and negative stress, and how stress can affect individuals and manifest differently across genders. Students were guided in recognising signs of stress in themselves and others, and were introduced to the concepts of burnout and stress-related disorders. The session also provided practical advice on maintaining emotional well-being, including ways to protect their ‘stress batteries’ and develop healthy coping strategies.

The Mobile Clinic Club’s advisor, Dr Danagra Ikossi, supported the students in preparing their presentations, while the club’s President and Secretary, Nour Abdelaziz and Maryam Aras Khudhai Al-Gburi, respectively, coordinated the initiative and organised the logistics of the visit.