New program exposes students to health topics, issues

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and the Division of Youth Services’ Youth Empowerment Action for Health program concluded on Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, where 11 participants from middle and high schools across Saipan were recognized as part of the initiative’s newest cohort.

As part of the ceremony, participants had a chance to share what they’ve learned while being a part of the cohort, and shared the knowledge they have acquired. Their topics spanned from non-communicable disease, mental health, suicide, and food addiction, to drug and alcohol misuse and awareness.

YEAH facilitator Eloise Lopez said the program actually got started in September, and was done for over two months, providing participants with work experiences and interactions with not only peers but also local health workers.

It also gave participants creative space to design a health campaign of their own that is especially catered to teens and young adults, as well as socialize with others, get free training and networking opportunities, and improve their communication, she said.

“These are not your typical kind of students. …They are here today to show you that not only are they here to present, but to give you a learning experience of what they learned throughout the program and use this as a potential gateway to keep advocating for health to, and for, their communities,” Lopez said. “These students will not end from here. Right after this program, they will continue to work furthermore on their health project and…present to their communities.”

One participant from Kagman High School, Nicole Sundiam, said the program was a good opportunity “because it causes you to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people while learning about different non-communicable diseases in the CNMI and in the U.S., and gives you a new perspective on things.”

She would encourage others to participate in the program.

She and her brother, Cee Jay, a participant from Chacha Oceanview Middle School, chose to give a presentation on one of the CNMI’s top cancers, breast cancer.

“I think it’s often overlooked,” she said.

The topic also meant more to her on a personal level. “I felt like I was also advocating for my aunt, because she’s also a breast cancer survivor, so this felt good to do this.”

The program was a collaborative effort between CHCC and DYS, but also included the support and cooperation of Northern Marianas College, the Public School System, and Marianas Health.