By Zoila Palma: Last month, CARICOM Youth Ambassador and health professional Marissa Cervantes launched #501SaveTheBeach, a Youth Mental Health First Aid Action Plan designed to uplift and protect the next generation.
“While sargassum influxes along Belize’s shores have long been studied for their ecological and economic consequences, one critical dimension has often been overlooked: the mental health of young people. For youth in San Pedro and Dangriga Town, the recurring waves of sargassum bring more than environmental challenges; they disrupt routines, heighten anxiety, and strain households,” CARICOM notes.
According to Cervantes, the #501SaveTheBeach is more than an environmental initiative. It is a youth-centred resilience plan.
By combining mental health support with environmental education, the programme ensures that young Belizeans are not only informed about the ecological realities of sargassum but also equipped to manage the emotional and social impacts.
Pillars of the initiative include:
Targeted mental health support to address stress and anxiety.
School-based workshops that integrate emotional well-being with environmental awareness.
Youth empowerment activities that foster leadership, resilience, and community pride.
Collaborative partnerships with local schools, health professionals, and community leaders.
Focused on youth ages 12 to 29, the initiative presents a clear roadmap: rationale, methodology, expected outcomes, and sustainability strategies.
The vision is bold yet practical, cultivating a generation of emotionally resilient and environmentally conscious Belizean youth who can thrive despite challenges.
The post CARICOM Youth Ambassador Marissa Cervantes launches #501SaveTheBeach appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Last month, CARICOM Youth Ambassador and health professional Marissa Cervantes launched #501SaveTheBeach, a Youth Mental Health First Aid Action Plan designed to uplift and protect the next generation. “While sargassum influxes along Belize’s shores have long been studied for their ecological and economic consequences, one critical dimension has often been overlooked: the
The post CARICOM Youth Ambassador Marissa Cervantes launches #501SaveTheBeach appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
