PDN Article: May 18,
2013
The Children Mental Health Awareness Wave last Friday was a
great success and is perhaps the largest gathering we have had since we have
been doing this for the past nine years.
It's a wonderful feeling to know that awareness is gradually
spreading throughout our island and support is building up. We thank all those
who participated.
We were joined by other groups, such as the Office of the
Attorney General's staff and the Random Women's Rally standing up against
violence. These are all for a good cause, which we strongly support.
Regular supporters of the wave, such as the firemen from the
nearby Tamuning Fire Station, several senators and system of care stakeholders,
partook as well.
Among the participants, which we definitely want to recognize,
are the many young people from all around the island. We had 28 students from
the George Washington High School ninth-grade health class with their teacher,
Wildred Buan, engaging them in the wave as a service-learning project. We had
Patricia Bilbao with 24 students of her John F. Kennedy High School psychology
class participating as well.
Both groups of enthusiastic, cheerful and energetic students
came prepared with signs and posters they made at their school to display, and
to encourage motorists along Marine Corps Drive to take note of their message
by honking as a sign of support to the cause.
We applaud the leadership of Bilbao and Buan in involving their
students in a service-learning project promoting mental health. This also goes
out to teachers and students who participated in the "I Care for My Mental
Health" artwork display. Encouraging positive mental health activities
with young people helps break the stigma so more seek mental health services when
needed.
Annie F.B.Unpingco, LCSW, is administrator of I Famagu'on-ta,
Child Adolescent Services Division at the Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse.
