(PSS) — During the last two weeks of September, the Public School System Project HALIGI AWARE conducted the first Sources of Strength adult advisor and peer leader training. The training sessions were facilitated in partnership with SOS national trainers Mish Moore and Dan Adams.
Sources of Strength or SOS is a strength-based suicide prevention program with evidence-based practices in preventative upstream and intervention outcomes.
The program provides a framework to empower students through outlets of connection, hope, help, and strength.
The SOS model focuses on eight protective factors: family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, physical health, and mental health.
The implementation of SOS will begin with identified pilot schools across all three islands: Hopwood Middle School, Marianas High School, Tinian Junior/Senior High School, and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior/Senior High School.
There will be a total of 70 participating students.
During the training, Tinian Junior Senior High School student J. Futon shared his observation. “It is a great opportunity especially for the teens to help spread awareness and I strongly believe that it is something we need to focus on. Some people may not carry their weight well but Sources of Strength helps young individuals when times get hard. I definitely look forward to more future activities with this program,” he said.
The program offers students an opportunity to seek empowerment through setting positive goals, values, and virtues.
The program aims to target a diverse group of youth to leverage their personal and collective leadership qualities to positively impact their community.
Participating adult advisor Jonathan Cabrera said: “As a newly trained adult advisor, I am ready to support and work with our student leaders as they draw on Sources of Strength to effect positive change at Marianas High School.”
PSS Mental Health expresses their sincerest gratitude to the collaborative efforts of the PSS Sources Strength Training Team, the supporting pilot schools and their participating students, and national trainers Mish Moore and Dan Adams for a very successful introduction to Sources of Strength in the district’s mental health program!
For more information on Sources of Strength, you may visit http://sourcesofstrength.org/.
To stay updated on more mental health help, tips, and the PSS Project HALIGI AWARE Program, you may follow the program on social media at Project HALIGI AWARE on Facebook and YouTube and @haligi.aware on Instagram.
Annrita Benavente, behavioral health specialist, and the SOS Training Team work alongside Hopwood Middle School peer leaders and adult advisors Femie Rey and Ma. Jyn Binghit as they visualize their sources of strength for an illustration activity.
Marianas High School Counselor Kelly Demapan with the SOS Training Team leads an illustration activity with MH’ peer leaders and adult advisors.
Frank Lee Borja, community project manager- Local Education Agency Tinian, leads an SOS wellness model and group activity with Tinian Jr.-Sr. and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos High School peer leaders.
Sources of Strength training team members.
Hopwood Middle School peer leaders and adult advisors.
Marianas High School peer leaders and adult advisors.
Tinian Jr./Sr. High School and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School peer leaders and adult advisors.
