The Berrien County Health Department is encouraging residents to take advantage of testing and prevention services as part of STI Awareness Month.

Health officials say the department’s Sexual Health Clinic and its Taking Pride in Prevention program are designed to provide education, testing and treatment to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. The program focuses on young people ages 12 to 19, offering medically accurate information on topics including STI transmission, HIV prevention, consent and healthy relationships, while also helping parents feel more confident having conversations about sexual health.

Clinical and Community Health Services Supervisor Dionne Rigozzi says the goal is to make care accessible and judgment-free. She says anyone who is sexually active should consider regular testing, especially since some infections show no symptoms.

Rigozzi says testing every three months is a good rule of thumb to help protect both individuals and their partners.

The department says its clinic offers confidential services including STI testing and treatment, rapid HIV testing, immunizations such as HPV, and counseling. Expedited partner therapy is also available for those who may have been exposed through a partner, helping prevent further spread.

Officials say while STI cases in Berrien County are trending downward, infections like chlamydia remain the most common, and prevention remains a top priority. They add that education, regular testing and access to care are key to maintaining that progress.

Appointments are available at the health department’s Benton Harbor and Niles locations, with walk-in and telehealth options offered. Officials say services are provided at reduced cost, most insurance is accepted, and no one is turned away for inability to pay.