(above photo) Isaiah Soliz encourages fellow Cobre High School students to “spin the wheel” to learn more about the consequences of underage drinking.

Silver City, NM (May 26, 2017) –The Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) at Cobre High School recently coordinated an engaging day of “Summer Safety Tips” for students and community members. Student activities and dialogues during the event addressed the consequences of underage drinking, the importance of saying “no” to distracted driving, and how to recognize and speak up against teen dating violence.

According to Melanie DeLaGarza, HMS Director of Operations, “The intent of this community, safety outreach event was to provide Cobre High School students and community members with valuable resources, especially as the end of the school year and summer approaches.” Kristi Apodaca, HMS Grant County Clinic Coordinator, added, “The students of the HMS SHAC team at Cobre High School led this exciting day through their creative posters, “spin the wheel” game, and individual conversations with other students about these very important, teen health and wellness issues.”

“According to the National Institutes of Health, students who have used school based health clinics (SBHCs) have been more satisfied with their health and engaged in a greater number of health-promoting behaviors than did students who did not use SBHCs,” stated Dan Otero, HMS Chief Executive Officer. “The HMS Cobre Health Clinic team works to provide Cobre High School students, faculty, staff, and community members with accessible, reliable, and confidential health, mental health, and family support services,” added Otero.

To learn more about the HMS SHAC program at Cobre High School, please contact Pamela Madrid, HMS Patient Specialist, at (575) 537-5069 or pammadrid@hmsnm.org. The HMS SHAC program at Cobre High School encourages any students to participate in the next, academic year’s SHAC activities.

Please visit www.hmsnm.org to learn more about HMS services, providers, and locations.

HMS SHAC students at Cobre High School promote the “Be the Voice” initiative to educate other students on recognizing and speaking up against teen dating violence.