JROTC cadets march north in formation on Beach Road in Garapan during Light Up the Night March on Tuesday.
THE cadets of three Public School System JROTC battalions as well as mental health stakeholders took part in the Light Up the Night community march to mark September as Recovery Month and campaign against suicide.
“We want to emphasize recovery for both,” said Philip Santos, lead family coordinator at the Community Guidance Center’s Systems of Care. “If you have any kind of addiction, recovery is possible. If you’re going through a mental health challenge or you’re thinking of suicide, recovery is possible. If you have both, recovery is possible and that’s really the mission and the vision of the Community Guidance Center.”
The march began at the Carolinian Affairs Office with cadets from the Kagman High School Ayuyu Battalion, the Marianas High School Dolphin Battalion, and the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Battalion marching in cadence to the turnaround point, which was the Garapan fire station.
“Addiction doesn’t discriminate,” said Ana Ada, program manager of CGC’s suicide prevention program.
Ada said people of different ages can be at risk for addiction or suicide, adding that she has worked with people as young as 10 and as old as 72.
The march was organized by CGC, the Department of Public Safety, PSS, and the Health Outcomes for Maternal and Early Childhood Visiting Program.
After turning at the Garapan fire station, JROTC cadets and mental health stakeholders march south through Garapan.
Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Battalion cadets sing in cadence after completing the march.
