SILVER SPRING, MD (May 21, 2025) — The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is spearheading NextGen CELEBRATIONS, a groundbreaking youth health program in Mongolia, in partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church Health Ministries Department and Loma Linda University School of Public Health. ADRA is showcasing this project in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, which aims to enhance the mental health of adolescents while tackling the increasing risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes and hypertension.
“Mongolia is facing an alarming public health challenge, with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes often caused by increasingly sedentary lifestyles and processed diets. The country also has the highest rates of liver cancer in the world,” says Dr. Josue Orellana, ADRA International’s director for Health, Nutrition & WASH. “That’s why, with the assistance of ADRA Mongolia, we launched CELEBRATIONS! to provide young people with knowledge, a voice, and practical tools for developing long-term, healthy habits. Mental health is part of that journey as well, and we’re proud to highlight how this program promotes emotional well-being for brighter futures during Mental Health Awareness Month.”
ADRA’s NextGen CELEBRATIONS! provides youth aged 12–15 with the education, resources, and supportive environment to address risk behaviors contributing to long-term health threats, including poor diet, lack of exercise, inadequate hydration, tobacco and alcohol use, and growing concerns about mental health and bullying.
“Partnering with ADRA allows us to extend the church’s health message far beyond the walls of a clinic or congregation,” states Dr. Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, director of the Seventh-day Adventist world church’s Health Ministries department. “By working together with ADRA and Loma Linda University, we are combining frontline service with academic rigor to deliver evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions. This collaboration helps us reach entire communities worldwide, but especially young people. When we guide children and adolescents in making positive lifestyle choices early on, we lay the foundation for long-term well-being. It’s a powerful model of what can be achieved when mission, compassion, and true science work hand in hand.”
Data-Driven, Community-Led
ADRA, its country office in Mongolia, and Loma Linda University collaborated with the Mongolia Mission Seventh-day Adventist Church (MMSDA) and the nation’s Ministry of Health to engage students, parents, schools, clinics, and local businesses. More than 4,000 people participated in the program to develop culturally relevant interventions. Key findings included:
- Low fruit and vegetable consumption
- Limited physical activity
- Rising concerns around youth mental health
- Growing use of alcohol and tobacco
“We collected what is called a KAP survey (Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice), which asked students about their current practices and understanding. When you’re young, you don’t care if you drink a soda every day of the week because you’re not going to get diabetes tomorrow, or it’s not going to be that big of a deal if you have this candy bar today, but if you have one every day for the next 10 years, then that’s going to create problems for the person, right? So, getting the youth to have this knowledge and awareness so that they can have well-being later in their life is very important,” explains Dr. Monita Baba Djara, program director for Loma Linda University’s SPH-Global Health. “We’ve learned that we are catching students at a good age. With this kind of partnership, we can actively see the results of the data because it’s impacting or influencing the implementation of a program.”
NextGen CELEBRATIONS! Core Pillars
The initiative focuses on six foundational pillars that empower adolescents with the tools and support to live healthier lives and prevent non-communicable diseases:
- Choice—Encourages youth to make informed decisions about diet, screen time, sleep, and substance use, emphasizing the impact of daily habits on long-term health.
- Exercise—Promotes fun, age-appropriate physical activity to combat sedentary behavior, with programs embedded in school and home settings.
- Temperance—Teaches avoidance of harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol, fostering self-control and healthy alternatives.
- Optimism—Cultivates emotional resilience and a hopeful mindset through peer support, wellness clubs, and activities that build purpose and positivity.
- Nutrition—Promotes the daily intake of fruits and vegetables and reduces sugar consumption through cooking events, breakfast programs, and health education.
- Social Support—Strengthens emotional well-being by addressing bullying, stress, and loneliness through peer-led conversations, health clubs, and strong family-school networks.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Students involved in the program are already noticing positive changes:
“I’ve started eating healthy and reduced my screen time. I used to be on my phone eight hours a day—now it’s significantly less,” says 8th grader Nandin-Erdene.
“I started to see things from a different perspective. Before, I couldn’t control my anger. Now I can control my emotions,” adds Ninjin, an 8th grader from Tusgal School.
ADRA’s NextGen CELEBRATIONS! shows what’s possible when evidence meets empathy. Support ADRA’s mission to help communities thrive! Make a life-changing donation for ADRA projects worldwide here.
