The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has made a remarkable move in getting their youth members involved in spiritual
building by focusing on mental health.
The Church initiated a five-day conference investing up to $500,000.
It’s got together teenagers between the ages of 14 and above to be part of the inaugural FSY FIJI 2023 – For The Strength of Youth Conference in Suva.
The Church must be commended for this move for we cannot underestimate the power of mental health in this day and age.
Given the rise in social issues such as substance abuse among teenagers, teenage pregnancy; dropping out of school, sexually-related crimes among juveniles and more, it all has to do with the state of mental wellbeing.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
To address these social ills and the burgeoning influence of the internet, in particular social media, adult materials etc, the church has brought these set of youths together and aligned their talks through the Gospel.
Bringing these youth groups together is by no mistake as it widely known that this age group is often known as the experimental age.
It is the age of exploring where children want to try out new and daring things.
Therefore, it is critical that intervention takes place, and in this case, divine intervention before our children succumb to peer pressures.
The meeting themed: For Strength of Youth Fiji Conference, is held at two venues, at The Church College Fiji and The University of the South Pacific.
Perhaps we can say that like the divine intervention that the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma did for inmates at the Fiji Corrections Services, it is aimed at teaching children right from wrong primarily focused on their state of mind.
But unlike the above, it is not too late for these children to redeem themselves and still have time to make the right choices empowered through Biblical learnings.
The conference has brought together not only LDS Church youth groups from all over the country; but also from the Pacific.
On its Facebook page, one of the testaments from the youth from Tuvalu, Miliama Fusiopou said she hopes to continue with the habits she’s developed when she returns home to Tuvalu.
Early morning devotionals, scripture study and daily prayers are newfound habits she’s learned at the FSY Fiji conference at the University of the South Pacific.
These are exactly the kinds of teachings that all Christian parents and guardians want their children to exemplify.
Not the rise in numbers of teenagers admitted at the psychiatric hospital resulting from substance abuse.
The conference ends tomorrow.
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