Palau’s Festival of Life Promotes Mental Well-being and Overall Wellness

By: Laurel Marewibuel

KOROR, Palau — The Ministry of Health and Human Services held a full-day community event on Nov. 24 to celebrate life and raise awareness about self-harm prevention, opioid overdose prevention and recovery, mental health, and substance use issues. The campaign, called Bellemakl el Klengar, or Festival of Life, brought an array of free health services to Ernguul Park.

Residents were able to access mammograms, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as mental health and substance use screenings. The event marked the culmination of a series of activities promoting public health, well-being and prevention awareness throughout November.

A centerpiece of the campaign was the focus on mental health and substance use challenges affecting young people and adults.

“We make these programs for youth as well as adults, where we come together for live music, celebrations and prizes,” said Hilda Reklai, chair of the It Takes a Village to Care program. Students from high schools and colleges took part in the activities. “We want to promote awareness against self-harm prevention as well as support mental well-being,” she said.

The day’s main gathering, Festival of Life, ran from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional community events held into the late afternoon. Activities included a cut contest, an essay competition offering a $500 prize, a song contest highlighting mental health awareness, and a “Walk-a-Thon.” The series formed part of the broader Mental Health Awareness Month initiative, aimed at strengthening community support and encouraging conversations about mental health, overdose prevention, recovery and overall wellness.

Organizers said this year’s turnout demonstrated strong community solidarity and a growing commitment to prevention, resilience and the celebration of life.