Saipan International School teachers have completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification.
(SIS) — Saipan International School is pleased to announce that its teachers have successfully completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid or YMHFA certification. Sponsored by the Systems of Care program at CHCCC’s Community Guidance Center and led by Phillip Santos from the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, this training equips educators with essential tools to recognize and address mental health challenges in young people.
The YMHFA program empowers SIS educators to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use issues in youth, enabling them to provide immediate support when needed. This certification enhances the school’s commitment to promoting a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically.
“Our teachers play a pivotal role in the well-being of our students, and this certification strengthens their ability to provide this crucial support,” said Dr. Ron Snyder, headmaster of Saipan International School. “We are grateful to the Community Guidance Center and Phillip for their dedication in bringing this important training to our faculty.”
“I would encourage all schools to take advantage of this training,” added William Rosser, SIS’s new secondary principal and head of the Student Support Committee. “We are thankful to the partnerships with NMCADSV and the CGC. It is these kinds of community partnerships that will strengthen all educational institutions in the CNMI.”
Phillip Santos, a trainer and advocate from the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, led the YMHFA training, providing important insight into trauma-informed care and early intervention for mental health concerns.
This certification is part of Saipan International School’s broader mission to support the overall wellbeing of its students, ensuring they receive comprehensive care that extends beyond academics. As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, SIS has made student safety and integrated support a key focus of their schoolwide learning objective in the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process. In addition to YMHFA, each of its teachers have undergone emergency first response training, aiming to support the physical and socioemotional safety of all of its students.
About SIS
Saipan International School is a premier educational institution in the Northern Mariana Islands, dedicated to providing a world-class education from kindergarten through high school. The school emphasizes not only academic excellence but also the emotional and social development of its students.
