SHER-Y Guidebook for Young People
Growing up is one of the most exciting, yet also one of the most confusing stages of life. During this time, young people have hundreds of questions about their bodies, emotions, relationships, boundaries, and sexuality. Unfortunately, they do not always receive clear, reliable, and evidence-based answers. Instead, they often turn to social media, the internet, or friends for information, where facts can easily become mixed with myths and stereotypes.
This is exactly why the SHER-Y Guidebook was created – an interactive resource designed to help young people better understand themselves, their bodies, and their relationships with others. At the same time, it is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, youth workers, and any adult who wants to support young people in exploring and understanding these topics.
This is not just another theoretical resource or collection of rules. The Guidebook is designed to encourage young people to think, ask questions, analyse situations, and reach their own conclusions.
Alongside clear explanations, young people will find practical activities, reflection questions, and examples inspired by real-life situations. These help develop skills that everyone can benefit from – respecting themselves and others, making informed decisions, setting boundaries, and building healthy relationships.
The Guidebook consists of three comprehensive modules:
The first module focuses on puberty, sexual health, and body image.
The second module explores the meaning and importance of consent, both in everyday relationships and in digital spaces.
The third module helps young people understand what healthy relationships look like, how to recognise unhealthy patterns of behaviour, and how to communicate with respect.
The most important benefit goes beyond gaining new knowledge. The SHER-Y Guidebook helps young people develop critical thinking, self-respect, empathy, the ability to recognise potentially risky situations, and the confidence to talk about issues that are still too often surrounded by silence.
Healthy relationships, respect for yourself and others, understanding your own body, and being able to say “yes” or “no” are not skills we are simply born with – they can and should be learned. And the earlier these conversations begin, the more confident, informed, and better equipped young people are to make safe and healthy choices.
The SHER-Y project is implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme under the project 2023-2-LV02-KA220-YOU-000170546 Sexual Health Education Reimagined (SHER-Y): A Comprehensive Approach for the Young Generation.
