AUGUST 2023- S.E.S.L Newsletter

E W S L E T T E R

TAKING YOU LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL

PAGE 1 & 2

MENTAL HEALTH

PAGE 3

POETRY CORNER

PAGE 4

QUALITIES & TIPS

PAGE 5-7

FUN FACTS

PAGE 8

MEN & WOMEN'S CORNER

COMIC ZONE

PAGE 9 & 10

WORD SEARCH & COMIC ZONE

PAGE 11 & 12

FINISH THE LYRICS

PAGE 13 & 14

FUN RECIPE

PAGE 15

EMANCIPATION DAY

The beautiful islands of Trinidad and Tobago are not only known for its lovely beaches and tropical weather that attract people from near and far but it is also knownforitsdiversemulticulturalenvironment.Infact,TrinidadandTobagoisone ofonlycountrieswhereitscitizensareallowedtoexercisetheirfaithandpractices without judgement and criminal penalties. However, it was not always this way. According to the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS), in Trinidad & Tobago, Emancipation Day is a significant National Holiday. The day, which is observed annually on the first of August, was made a national holiday in the year 1985 This day is recognized as the liberation of the last remaining slaves of the British Empire who were Africans Emancipation was commemorated annually after the abolition of slavery in 1838 with tremendous spectacle Africans took time off from work to participate in festivities such as processions, church services,andfeteswithdancinganddrumming

The article continued by saying that, as the first nation in the world to declare a national holiday to honor the abolition of slavery against Africans, Trinidad and Tobago made history The Black Power Movement helped revive emancipation celebrations in the 1970s Due to the events' rising popularity, organizations like the National Joint Action Committee and the Traditional National African Association boosted their advocacy efforts, which sparked requests for a national holiday This is a reminder of the strength, tenacity and togetherness that the people of Trinidad and Tobago possess The freedom that we enjoy today, are owed to those that came before us; they put their lives on the line and fought so that we could experience full liberation without restrictions, chains, and shackles

The historic choice to designate a public holiday to commemorate the release of enslaved Africans was made in 1985 by the then-prime minister, George Chambers. The number of people celebrating Emancipation Day has increased dramatically, earning Trinidad and Tobago the title of "Emancipation Capital of the World." At what is regarded as one of the premier African festivals in the world, thousands of Trinidadians and a sizable number of foreign tourists from around the globe go to Trinidad and Tobago. Said article entitled Emancipation Day in Trinidad and Tobago stated that weeks of preparation are spent by a variety of community-based and nongovernmental organizations, libraries, cultural institutions, business, and governmental entities leading up to this joyous occasion. These can include cultural performances, music, singing, and dance, as well as exhibitions, roundtable debates, and lectures frequently featuring well-known Pan African experts Numerous groups hold African fashion events that feature both Africaninspired clothing and regional traditions influenced by both local African and Caribbean cultures

SCHOOL SHOOTINGS

The issue of school shootings has become a growing phenomenon internationally.Picturethis,youdropyourchildofftoschool,kissedandwaved them good-bye. While busy at work, you get a phone call from an obvious distraught relative informing you that an active shooting is taking place at yourchild’sschool.Panicking,yougrabyourcarkeys,rushedtoyourcarand cannot seem to calm yourself enough to start your vehicle. You are now wonderingtheworst,notknowingifyourchildisdeadoralive.Whilethismight beadifficultcasetopicture,thisisthenightmarethatparentsareoftenfaced with Coxetal (2023)intheirWashingtonPostarticlestatedthatsinceatleast theyear1999,2022sawmoreschoolshootingsthananyotheryear

They stated that children who witness the violence or flee it by hiding behind closed doors might suffer severe stress in addition to seeing their deceased and injured peers The United States is often referred to asthelandofthefree,yetthesechildrenarenotallowedtobekids Researchhasfoundthatsomeofthem has grown so accustomed to this reality that they just wait for it to occur No one should live in constant fear of being killed, especially a child The writers indicated that ‘The Washington Post’ has spent years researching how many students in the U.S. have been exposed to gun violence during school hours since the Columbine High killing in 1999 because the federal government does not keep track of school shootings.

As stated by the writers, The Washington Post gathers its statistics from news reports, public databases, police reports, and phone calls to schools and police stations. The Post also found that minors are accountable for more than half of the nation's school shootings, none of which would be conceivable if those kids didn't have access to firearms. Although it is still extremely unlikely that any student will be the victim of a school shooting, the incidence rate has increased significantly in recent years. Up until 2017, the nation experienced an average of 11 school shootings annually, never surpassing 16 in a single year However, from 2018, the number of violent occurrences increased The new coronavirus in 2020 caused months-long college closures, and the incidence of shootings decreased However, with classes back in session, there were shootings at 42 K-12 schools in 2021 and 46 the following year, echoing the country's general increase in gun violence as it emerged from the pandemic.

MENTAL HEALTH SUICIDE&SUICIDEPREVENTION

According to the American Psychiatry Association, one of the major causes of death in the U.S. is suicide. They said that for those between the ages of 10 and 34, it is the second largest cause of death. People 75 years of age or older experience the highest risk of suicide Suicide is a severe public health issue because of the effects it has on communities The association stated that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1.2 million suicide attempts and more than 47,000 suicide deaths in the United States in 2021. This, they stated, equates to one suicide every eleven minutes. Men were more than three times as likely to commit suicide as women. The majority of suicides (approximately half) are committed using a firearm.

RISK FACTORS

Previous suicide attempt(s).

A history of suicide in the family.

Substance use.

Mood disorders.

Access to lethal means

Losses and other events.

History of trauma or abuse. Bullying.

Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain.

WARNING SIGNS PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Often talking or writing about death, dying or suicide

Making comments about being hopeless, helpless or worthless.

Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like "It would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out."

Increased alcohol and/or drug use. Withdrawal from friends, family and community

Reckless behaviour or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking. Dramatic mood changes.

Contacts with providers (such as, follow-up phone call from health care professional).

Effective mental health care; easy access to a variety of clinical interventions

Feelings of strong connections to individuals, family, community and social institutions.

Strong sense of cultural identity.

Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

POETRY CORNER TEAM WORK

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT IS WHAT GETS THE JOB DONE?

OUR SKILLS WE SHOULD COLLECTIVELY UTILIZE, WHERE I LACK, YOUR SKILLS WILL DEFINITELY APPLY.

TEAM-WORK PRESENTS NEW IDEAS AND INNOVATION, IT DECREASES SEGREGATION AND ROOT OUT FORMS OF LIMITATION. TEAMWORK BUILDS TOGETHERNESS AND FORM BONDS, IT TEACHES US TO WORK WITH THE NICEST TO THE MOST DIFFICULT ONES, TEAMWORK HELPS IN THE MEANS OF REDUCING STRESS, IT ENCOURAGES PERSONAL GROWTH AND KEEPS US FROM PRODUCING MESS.

BY PETERDUNTIN

Areliablesecurityofficercanbecountedontogetajob. Securityguardsmustconstantlybeonthealertandhyper awareoftheirsurroundings.Thisimpliesthattheyshouldn't betalkingontheirphones,checkingemails,ortexting. 5

Agoodsecurityguardmustbeabletofollow instructionswhilestillbeingabletothinkindependently Securitycrisescanhappenatanytime,andsomeone whoisnotadeptatmakingpromptdecisionscouldbe caughtoffguard. Asecurityguardrepresentsabrandextensionforyou. Thegreatestsecurityofficersholdbothyourbusiness andtheirstoastandardthatoughttogoaboveand beyondyourexpectations

SAFETY

Avoid walking in the rain and through flooded waters. Avoid driving through flooded waters.

Unplug electronic appliances.

Take precaution against mosquitoes and other breeding insects.

Ensure that all windows are shut properly.

Keep an umbrella, raincoat and rain boats handy. Clean

Hereisachecklistofitemsyoumustincludeinyouremergencykitfor therainyseasonincasethingsgetoutofhand.

TIPSFORORGANIZATIONSTOHELP EMPLOYEESFEELVALUED

ESTABLISHCOMPANYSTANDARDS

Layingthefoundationinvolvesdevelopingandarticulatingthe organization'sbasicvalues.

PROVIDEOBJECTIVEANDSUBJECTIVERESOURCES

Adecentwageandpaidtimeoffaretwoconcreteresourcesthatshouldbemadeavailable toemployees.Additionally,theyrequireintangibleadvantageslikebeingrespectedand havingconfidenceintheirjudgment.

FOCUSONPSYCHOLOGICALSAFETY

Successfulcompanies’fosterenvironmentswherestaffmembersfeelfreetoshare opinions,ownuptotheirmistakes,andaskquestions.

OPEN-DOORPOLICY

Managersandsupervisorsthatareapproachable,accessible,andwillingtohandleissuesastheyariseare valuedbytheirstaff Anopendoorpolicyencourageseffectivecommunicationatwork,improvesoffice morale,andraisesoutputbyallowingstaffmemberstovoicetheirissuestomanagementatanytime

EMBRACEDIVERSITYOFTHOUGHT

Recognizeeachindividualemployee'suniquecontributionstothesuccessofthe company,regardlessoftheirbackgrounds,ages,orjobpositions.

CONNECTTHEDOTS

Educatestaffmembersonhowtheirindividualcontributionssupportthe organization'soverallmission.

PUBLICRECOGNITION

Createaculturewherepraiseandacknowledgmentarevalued

FUN FACTS YOUR COUNTRY about

Trinidad and Tobago has the World’s Largest Natural Deposit of Asphalt.

The Trinidad scorpion pepper is native to Trinidad and Tobago and is seen as one of the hottest peppers in the world.

Janelle Penny Commissiong of Trinidad and Tobago won the Miss Universe title in 1977, becoming the first black woman to do so.

Trinidad and Tobago hosts the world’s oldest legally protected forest reserve.

The Limbo dance competition is regarded as an interesting and challenging contest. It was made popular by Julia Edwards and her dance company.

Calypso music, the steelpan instrument and even the limbo all find their roots here.

The average person can stand in waist to chest-deep water at what is now known as the Nylon Pool.

MEN'S CORNER

WHAT KNOT ARE YOU?

WOMEN'S CORNER

CARVE YOUR WAY

INTO THESE SCARVES

DOUBLE WRAP

CAPE TIE

DOUBLE WRAP FRENCH

COMIC ZONE

DONE BY ETHAN SMITH INTERN

MY IS KILLING ME AND I, I MUST CONFESS I STILL BELIEVE, STILL BELIEVE!

IF YOU WANNA BE MY , YOU GOTTA GET WITH MY FRIENDS!

SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME, IF NO ONE IS AROUND YOU, SAY , I LOVE YOU!

YOU ARE MY FIRE, THE ONE , BELIEVE WHEN I SAY, I WANT IT THAT WAY.

MY IS KILLING ME AND I, I MUST CONFESS I STILL BELIEVE, STILL BELIEVE!

IF YOU WANNA BE MY , YOU GOTTA GET WITH MY FRIENDS!

SAY MY NAME, SAY MY NAME, IF NO ONE IS AROUND YOU, SAY , I LOVE YOU!

YOU ARE MY FIRE, THE ONE , BELIEVE WHEN I SAY, I WANT IT THAT WAY.

Chicken Mango Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients

·1 pound ground chicken

·2 teaspoons soy sauce

·1 teaspoon corn-starch (or potato or rice starch)

·1 teaspoon cooking oil (peanut oil or canola)

·2 green onions, chopped

4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced

·2 teaspoons seasoned rice vinegar

·1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 large mango, diced

·1 head butter lettuce, rinsed, leaves separated

Method

1Place the ground chicken, soy sauce, and corn-starch in a large bowl Mix to combine.

2Sauté shiitake mushrooms and green onions: Heat a wok or a large sauté pan on medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the oil. Add the green onions and sliced shiitakes Let cook for about a minute

3.Add chicken mixture:

Increase the heat to high, and add the ground chicken, soy sauce, corn-starch mixture. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground chicken and spread around the pan Stir fry in this way for 5 to 7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through

4.Add seasonings and mango:

Add the seasoned rice vinegar, sesame oil, and diced mango Remove from heat Adjust seasonings (rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce) to taste.

5Scoop spoonful into the cups formed by the lettuce leaves to serve:

Options - stir in a small spoonful of chili sauce, or add a few chili pepper flakes to the oil as it is heating Top with some fresh cilantro leaves Experiment with other meats such as lamb, turkey, beef, or pork. Try subbing out the mango with mandarin orange slices