No child is responsible for what they inflict upon themselves.

At some point they decide to move forward, provided there is the appropriate support.

Anastasia, 15 years old
A new day is coming, full of surprises!

Make this day your own, ‘conquer’ it.

Alexia, 12 years old
Many goods in life seem given,

yet there are people who are deprived of them.

Spyros, 16 years old
At this age, friends are the most important thing,

they are the ones who influence you the most.

Fotis, 17 years old
I feel overwhelmingly strong,

and the very next moment,

inconceivably weak.

Ioanna, 17 years old
Do not criticize your child,

only their actions.

Eleftheria, 17 years old

Let’s get to know each other better

Who we are

The Adolescent Health Unit (AHU) of the Second Department of Pediatrics of the University of Athens at the ‘P. & A. Kyriakou’ Children’s Hospital has been operating since November 2006, following Board of Directors decision 295/10.11.06. It operates under the direction of Professor Theoklis Zaoutis, with Associate Professor of Pediatrics–Adolescent Medicine Artemis Tsitsika as its founding head. The Adolescent Health Unit accepts requests from adolescents aged 11–18 and their families, providing services that cover the entire spectrum of their age-related needs. It has been approved as the first ‘youth-friendly’ service in the country in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and implements specialized Social/Emotional Empowerment services, regardless of the initial request.

More information about us

Testimonials

«I came to the Adolescent Health Unit at the age of 14, following pressure from my parents who were looking for people capable of handling the health issue I was facing: anorexia nervosa, a disease of our time that requires specialized treatment. I was lucky, as the branch of the Adolescent Health Unit at the ‘Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou’ General Children’s Hospital of Athens had been established. It was a very difficult period in my life, and my very life was in danger. As time went on, and while I was surrounded by the Unit’s specialized staff, I realized how lucky I was that they crossed my path. People with knowledge about adolescents, with a willingness to help every single case, and with a love for what they offered. Thanks to these people, I overcame my problem; my parents were also helped, since there is also therapy available for parents to help their children. It was a long-term treatment, but they were by my side every moment, through every phone call. My life today is free from the illness of back then, as I worked on myself with their help. I became independent and an even better person, with a desire to help adolescents in my turn and encourage them to visit the Unit…! Thank you so much!»

Α.Α., 28 years old

«The one thing I would undoubtedly not change is the day I visited the Adolescent Health Unit and was lucky enough to have people by my side who, through effort and persistence, opened up paths for me and introduced me to my true self. And it is important for all children to have this opportunity to discover the true ‘ego’, which, according to Eric Berne, consists of three states: the Parent, the Adult, and the Child. Therefore, when the Parent state is unable to build the necessary foundations to support the ego, that is where our Unit steps in.»

Α.S., 18 years old

«As parents, we faced a severe problem with our 15-year-old daughter, who exhibited all the symptoms of a child experiencing bullying in her school and social environment: malaise, eating disorders, withdrawal from school duties, and other activities. The handling of our problem by the AHU team was far beyond my expectations. It was not treated as just another case that had to be ‘processed’ with scheduled appointments. There was genuine interest and flexibility to find an immediate and meaningful solution to the problem. Most importantly, my daughter felt comfortable and handled communication with the Unit herself, without our intervention. Apart from the scheduled appointments, she would go there whenever an emergency arose, ‘opened up’ to the Unit’s staff, and always returned relieved and with greater self-confidence. Furthermore, all the physical symptoms that had developed were addressed. As I realized, this is a University structure, and the techniques used in my daughter’s case were pioneering and tailored to her situation, which is why we saw substantial results very soon.»

Ε. G. (father)

«We would like to express our trust and gratitude to the Adolescent Health Unit and its scientific team for the discretion, respect, and effectiveness with which they handled our very difficult situation, having our youngest child experience gender dysphoria.
At the Unit, the child felt comfortable, was greatly helped in managing many of the situations they face, and became strong and self-confident. Any question we have about the treatment and our progress is explained, and they support us accordingly, while answering our queries and proposing solutions whenever issues arise.
Practical issues that arise are also addressed at the Unit, e.g., we can come at times when the child does not miss school, we can also come outside of scheduled appointments for emergencies, which creates a sense of security and makes things much easier for us. There is a team of specialist collaborators related to our case (adolescent medicine specialist, endocrinologist, child psychiatrist, and family counselor) who consult with one another to ensure the best possible care.»

Parents G.Μ. 16 years old

«During my visits to the Adolescent Health Unit, I met wonderful people who helped me and continue to help me with the various difficulties I face. Their approach is holistic, and they consistently treat me with care and genuine empathy. After every visit, I leave the department with practical solutions to my problems and with advice that has changed my way of thinking, which was particularly dysfunctional given my anxiety and heavy background.
The staff’s treatment was the best I have ever encountered in a public health structure. I would describe the department as a miniature family and my doctor as a mother full of love and care for her children.
My contact with the department was not just positive, but it made me not lose hope in humanity and the Greek health system. I sincerely hope that the work these people offer is recognized and that they are doubly rewarded for their contribution. The emotion that describes what I feel is true gratitude! I never regretted my visit there, and if I could turn back time, I would do exactly the same again.»

Ε.P. 23 years old

«A year ago, my oldest son, who was in his final year of high school at the time, was facing a significant learning difficulty accompanied by intense anxiety, which created an atmosphere of insecurity and concern for the entire family.
We were referred to the Adolescent Health Unit (AHU) of the Second Department of Pediatrics of the University of Athens, at the ‘P. & A. Kyriakou’ Children’s Hospital, by a family friend.
The Unit was an ideal setting for us, given that it accepts adolescents up to 18 years old, which is not the case in other departments of the Children’s Hospital, and it also had a very good organization and experience in dealing with these ages and their needs. My son felt very comfortable, took all the necessary tests, and the staff was very informative, paying close attention to even the slightest detail and showing a willingness to support my son in any way possible and within his rights.
Today, my son has succeeded in the Panhellenic Exams and will most likely be studying at the faculty of his choice starting in September. The support and decisive intervention at a critical moment for my son’s future were determining factors for this outcome.
We will always express our gratitude to the AHU staff and the ‘P. & A. Kyriakou’ Children’s Hospital for providing us with the solution.»

Κ.R., (mother)

«I turned to the Adolescent Health Unit (AHU) of the Second Department of Pediatrics of the University of Athens, at the ‘P. & A. Kyriakou’ Children’s Hospital in June 2017 to evaluate and help my minor daughter, then a student in the 11th grade (B’ Lyceum), regarding a problem identified by her school, as well as myself—her mother, especially in view of the Panhellenic examinations.
Specifically, doctors and educators who had firsthand knowledge of the Adolescent Health Unit’s (AHU) services unreservedly recommended that I turn there.
I was very impressed by the way the Unit treated me and my minor daughter: with sensitivity, professionalism, and excellent medical knowledge-experience. My daughter, who was experiencing intense anxiety, fear, and insecurity due to the issue she was facing, gradually managed it, received the appropriate support, and was able to be functional and focus on her goal.
At the Unit, there was no superficial handling of our problem, but genuine interest and flexibility—so that through appropriate and indicated methods, the situation could be evaluated and a diagnosis for the problem could be made immediately and substantively. Directions were given for coping, and the appropriate climate was created so that my daughter could feel comfortable with her particularity and safe to move forward with her life. Today, my daughter is a second-year student at a Faculty that was her first choice of interest.
Both I and other parents I met at our appointments in the Unit felt lucky and grateful that we learned about it, that we turned to it, that we collaborated with it, and that it exists for adolescents and their parents like a ‘guardian angel’ in the difficult age of adolescence and the social conjuncture we live in.»

mother Α.Τ., 16 years old

Previous Next