Many have spent the past year largely in a state of emergency, trying to play the role of parent, teacher and friend.
Even as students returned to partially opened classrooms, some of the remote programs that education systems intended to be temporary have remained in place. Schools are planning to reopen schools next year as parents raise concerns about the toll of virtual learning on children’s mental health.
“Online was fun for the first couple of months, but it got old real fast,” Camacho said. “Mostly it’s kids getting used to not hanging out with their friends and not seeing people their own age.”
Pacific Daily News
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The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center is sponsoring a series of events in May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Themed “Seeing through Stigma,” the events are aimed at reducing negative attitudes around mental health.
May 22-29: Virtual 2K/5K run walk
Participate in a virtual race to improve your mental health for a $15 flat fee. The first 150 registrants receive a free finishers packet. Proceeds benefit the I Guma Mina åse Sister Mary Brigid Perez, R.S.M. foster shelter in Barrigada Heights. Register online at register.chronotrack.com/r/61151 or contact communications@gbhwc.guam.gov with any questions. Finishers can pick up their packet from June 1-4 at the center in Tamuning.
Event aims to push past mental health stigma
By Anne Wen
When Jesse Libby explains mental health to kids, he uses the boiling pot method.
A person can put a lid over boiling water, but the pot will eventually overflow. To take off the steam, the person should remove the lid a simple gesture.
The same applies to mental health. People can take off the steam of a stressful situation by talking to people they trust, said Libby, director of Project LINC, which stands for Linking Individuals in Nurturing Communities a program that helps children struggling with mental health and homelessness.
Former GovGuam psychiatrist still hasn t been found for court case
By Jerick Sablan
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Former government of Guam psychiatrist Dr. Abner Pasatiempo hasn t appeared for any of his arraignment hearings following charges of official misconduct and harassment.
Pasatiempo was charged in February with making inappropriate sexual comments to several of his patients while they were seeking treatment and care from him, according to court documents.
An arraignment hearing for Pasatiempo was held Friday morning before Superior Court of Guam Judge Benjamin Sison Jr.
It was the third time Pasatiempo s case appeared on the judge s calendar. The previous two times were pushed back because Pasatiempo wasn t served his court summons.
Telehealth hearing sidelined over abortion concerns
Joe Taitano II
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Bill 103, which would establish telehealth and telemedicine services during public health emergencies, will be going to a third public hearing after several people appeared to testify that the bill could allow for telemedicine medication abortions.
The American Civil Liberties Union brought a lawsuit in January challenging Guam’s abortion laws, which require a woman to have an abortion performed in a doctor’s clinic and that information be provided in-person to patients.
The lawsuit was on behalf of Hawaii doctors Shandhini Raidoo and Bliss Kaneshiro, who said that telemedicine medication abortions could be available to women on Guam if not for the law.