The Public School System’s mental health team members pose for a photo with the community’s mental health stakeholders, professionals and providers during a workshop on Sept. 12, 2023 at Saipan World Resort.
(PSS) — To help develop a mental health support system for the students and families of the CNMI Public School System, 13 government entities consisting of about 100 personnel participated in a workshop on Sept. 12, Tuesday at Saipan World Resort.
The mental health department of PSS’ Office of Student and Support Services hosted the workshop titled “Community Compass: Navigating Youth and Family Mental Health Support and Services in Unity.”
The workshop discussed, among other things, the various services and programs available to CNMI youth and families.
In his remarks, Dr. Bobby Cruz, the state education agency director for PSS Mental Health, said, “Trees operate in deep harmony and connection rather than in isolation. Even though the intricacies of their collaboration are not fully understood by us, their collective strength underlines the significance of community and interdependence for true flourishing. What affects one affects all.”
Cruz said the mental well-being of all children is a shared responsibility, and PSS is thankful for the opportunity to further develop its mental health program and collaborate with compassionate partners.
The workshop was designed to, among other things, encourage collaboration and understanding among stakeholders, community partners, providers, and professionals working in the field of mental health.
Throughout the day-long event, participants were given opportunities to have meaningful dialogues on gaps in services and possible solutions.
Each of the 13 participating agencies discussed how they were working to improve their services. The involvement of parents and guardians was also noted.
The objective of PSS Mental Health is to build resilience among students and employees of the school system by creating an environment that is secure and encouraging.
PSS Mental Health aims to identify and provide universal strategies for all students, early support for identified students, and more individualized interventions for those in need, including coordinated referrals.
Evelyn Pangelinan, community health outreach worker for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation’s System of Care said, “I feel that all our partners…share a similar mission and vision for the island community we collectively serve. We all want to help and ultimately promote optimal wellness and well-being in the context of mental health and in all its aspects. We are in a position to effectively navigate and direct our young people toward the support they may need when we combine our efforts with those of the various stakeholders in the community who are concerned with mental health.”
Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, for her part, said: “I want to know all the services that are available for our youth in the CNMI so that I can channel them accordingly when they come before me in court.”
The “Community Compass: Navigating Youth and Family Mental Health Support and Services in Unity” workshop has set a promising course for the CNMI’s youth and family mental health landscape by fostering unity, and empowering all involved to navigate the paths toward improved mental health support.
Organizers extend their “heartfelt gratitude to the following community partners for their invaluable participation and unwavering commitment to collectively share and illuminate the pathways for our youth and families who need to access vital mental health support within our community”:
988 Suicide Prevention, Youth Environment Solutions Program, PSS Special Education Program, Second Wind, Family & Youth Enhancement Program, Division of Youth Services, CDC-Non-Communicable Disease, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.-Community Guidance Center, which includes
– System of Care
– Healthy Transitions
– Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program
– Psychiatry
– Suicide Prevention Program
– Addiction Services Unit
