PSS Mental Health convened its Sources of Strength adult advisors across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota on Nov. 20, 2023.
(Public School System) — PSS Mental Health takes an important stride forward in enhancing mental health support within schools by convening its existing and new Sources of Strength adult advisors across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota on Nov. 20, 2023. This pivotal session aimed to introduce the Sources of Strength program to adult advisors, cultivating a comprehensive network of support within the district. Currently, there are over 20 trained Sources of Strength adult advisors across PSS.
Dr. Bobby Cruz, director of PSS Mental Health, said, “The Sources of Strength program is a proven suicide prevention initiative implemented in schools, focusing on fostering positive mental health and support networks among students. It aims to cultivate a community where students feel empowered to impact others positively by promoting protective factors like family, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality and friends. When we teach our kids how to manage difficult emotions and empower them with the perspective to cope in healthy ways, we can take a strength-based approach to suicide prevention.”
The recent session saw the participation of existing adult advisors from pilot schools, including Marianas High School, Hopwood Middle School, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School on Rota, and Tinian Middle and High School.
“We had the privilege of including Tanapag Middle School and Kagman High School in our Sources of Strength program this year, marking a significant expansion of the program’s reach across the school district,” Cruz said.
The focus remains on implementing an upstream approach, shifting the narrative from discussing leading causes of death to leading causes of life.
Philip Santos, lead coordinator at CHCC-CGC System of Care, emphasized the significance of recognizing innate strengths and natural supports that help us cope with the daily stresses of life. He further states, “it is even more important to have others in our lives who can help us realize that we have these strengths, because sometimes we cannot identify them on our own.”
Leilani Deleon Guerrero expressed her support for the program as a newly trained adult advisor. She highlighted how Sources of Strength promotes positive behaviors among students, nurturing their overall well-being and empowering them to make a difference in their community through upstream strategies.
“We plan to use student ideas and student voices — this way, we know that students know they aren’t alone. It’s different to hear things being said by adults versus. peers,” said Meena Benavente from Kagman High School, emphasizing the importance of empowering students’ voices within the program. The goal of the SOS program, which is to establish a supportive network where children feel understood and supported by their peers, is strengthened by the involvement of these new schools.
This collaborative effort between PSS Mental Health and its school advisors in the district, alongside the participation of key stakeholders, marks a crucial step toward reinforcing mental health support networks within schools, creating an environment where every student feels supported and empowered.
For more information on Sources of Strength, go to http://sourcesofstrength.org/. To stay updated on more mental health help and tips, you may follow Project HALIGI AWARE on Facebook and YouTube or @haligi.aware on Instagram.
