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Saipan wants to provide mental health support for the youth and everyone who needs it.

Acting Governor David M. Apatang, accompanied by Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Camacho and representatives from Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., officially declared May as Mental Health Awareness Month and National Adolescent Health Month during a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.

The proclamation showed the significance of raising community awareness, reducing stigma and offering support to individuals grappling with mental health challenges, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing the mental well-being of the youth.

Highlighting findings from the 2021 CNMI Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which revealed alarming rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among middle and high school students, the proclamation stressed the urgent need for concerted efforts to address mental health concerns, particularly among adolescents.

In a poignant address, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School student Jacey Charfauros emphasized the profound impact of mental health on academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being, urging the community to foster an environment of openness and understanding.

"Mental health is just as important as physical health, if not more so.It affects how we think, feel, and act, changing our experiences and relationships in profound ways. From the pressures of academics to the complexity of social dynamics, high school can be a breeding ground for stress, anxiety, and depression," Charfauros explained, Saipan Tribune reported.

"We're expected to excel in our studies, excel in extracurricular activities, and excel in our social life, all while navigating the tough journey of adolescence. It's no wonder that so many of us struggle to keep our heads above water."

"It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed. What's not okay is suffering in silence, pretending that everything is fine, when it's not...Together we can break down barriers that prevent so many from seeking help... together we can make a difference."

Acting Governor Apatang underscored the universality of mental health struggles saying,"Depression can happen to anyone at any age. As we become older, we face new social relationships, new pressures from academic, athletic, and other activities. Many of us may not know how to cope with all these overwhelming emotions, which could lead to many factors in our struggles with mental health."

He he also highlighted the importance of providing support and guidance to individuals of all ages, particularly the youth, in navigating the complexities of mental illness.

"Living with mental illnesses is not easy, but finding the meaning in life, and gaining the feeling of being valued, will give us the strength to drive through any mental health struggles," Apatang added.

Echoing Charfauros's call to action, Education Commissioner Camacho emphasized the collective responsibility of the community in creating a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to seek help and support.

"We as a community need to heed to that call for action and actually do something about it...Each of us have our whys or inner whys of why we do what we do and why we're here present today. And I can just say to look from within because every one individual on this planet has his or her own inner demon that sometimes can be part of the problem," Camacho appealed.

"But then if we create an environment around each other, we create a healthier environment so that our inner demons don't come up to the point where now we're needing some help. As a community, we need to thrive together. But then when there's help that is needed by any one of our team members in the community, in this society, we all need to also get up and take up to bat the role of being a responsible citizen to help the community. Within all these agencies, I think we all have the right agencies. So that the support is there. We just need to make sure that we guide the individuals in that direction."

Expressing appreciation for the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. CEO Esther Muna emphasized the intrinsic link between mental health and public health, urging sustained efforts in promoting mental well-being beyond the confines of Mental Health Awareness Month.

"Don't feel like just confined within your walls and that's all the people that you can reach out to. We are here. So again, I really appreciate the recognition of this month. But it shouldn't be just this month. All of us should think about mental health as a problem throughout our lives. And from children to adulthood, we all experience it the same way too. We always feel like we're blocked and everything. But again, there's always somebody there and we're definitely here to support you all."