(PSS) — On Monday, March 29, 2021, the Public School System’s mental health program, Project Haligi Aware, held a professional development entitled “Mental Health Matters” with San Vicente Elementary School teachers and staff to communicate the importance of mental health and awareness. Project Haligi Aware continues to promote mental health advocacy and self-care strategies, coping skills, and stress management through a variety of services, including the professional growth of educators.
San Vicente Elementary School principal, Paulette Sablan, said, “The most important component from the presentation is the ability to understand what it means when we hear words such as mental well-being and mental health. Normally, people associate mental health with something negative and assume you have a serious issue. Mental health is more about learning ways to take better care of yourself in a positive manner because if we don’t take better care of ourselves, we won’t be able to provide the support that our students need.” Haligi Aware prepares teachers and administrative staff to recognize and respond to behavioral and mental health issues among students. A goal of the program is to improve crisis response, intervention, and access to school-based and community mental health services.
Haligi Aware Program Director Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan said, “As teachers, it might be challenging to find the time to take care of ourselves when we are always looking after our children at school and home. Mental health, like physical health, is about building yourself up so that you are stronger and have coping skills. You can’t achieve overall health and well-being without addressing mental health.”
Haligi Aware is designed to support all students, staff, and families throughout the CNMI who may be experiencing feelings of sadness or hopelessness to work towards resilience and mental wellness.
Haligi Aware Community Program Manager Walter Mendez, said, “When it comes to mental health awareness and providing support for our teachers, it is very dear to me. When I was a teacher, it was vital for me to know where I could find help, the cushioning to catch me if I were to fall. We want to instill confidence in our teachers that there is support like Haligi Aware that they can rely on and be the cushioning they need when they experience moments of desolation. When we reach out to the schools and conduct these professional developments, we aim to leave the teachers and staff with efficient self-care strategies and coping skills that they may practice in their daily lives. Our teachers need to be reminded that they need to take care of their mental wellness so they can work at optimal performance for our students.”
Haligi Aware will implement behavioral health methods that help give access to reliable services within the school and community.
Haligi Aware supports the CNMI PSS goal of providing a safe and caring learning environment that supports all students’ behavioral health and academic achievement.
Haligi is the Chamorro term for the pillar of the Latte Stone, and like the haligi, we are here to support you.
In the months to follow, Haligi Aware will continue to provide a multi-tiered system of support for mental wellness for PSS students, educators, staff, leaders, and families.
If you or someone that you care for needs immediate support, please call:
• PSS Student and Support Services at 664-3822. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• System of Care at 664-4604. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1(800) 273-8255 which provides counseling and support 24 hours a day.
• If it is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the CHCC Emergency Room.
San Vicente Elementary School staff members pose for a photo during a break from a mental health professional development session conducted by Project Haligi Aware on March 29, 2021.
PSS photo
