The Maui News
The Hawaii Department of Health, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division, Adult Mental Health Division, the Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Hui, and community partners are encouraging residents to spread awareness and redefine what mental health means.
Folks can wear green on Fridays to spread awareness through Mental Health Month, which can encourage acceptance and end prejudice and discrimination, a news release said.
Key findings from the 2021 Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that more than half of public school students (54 percent of middle school and 56 percent of high school students) never or rarely got the help they needed. Among those who reported said they felt sad, empty, hopeless, angry, or anxious.
Of public middle school students, 34 percent have felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities and 27 percent have seriously thought about killing themselves.
Of public high school students, in the past 12 months, 35 percent felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities and 17 percent have seriously considered attempting suicide.
“In the wake of the pandemic, children’s mental health acceptance has never been more important,” said Keli Acquaro, acting administrator for the CAMHD. “The good news is that youth are incredibly resilient. A critical protective factor for our keiki is that they feel connected at home and at school, and the way to achieve that is through strong relationships with adults and peers. We can all do our part by showing the young people in our lives that we care.”
Green is the national color of mental health acceptance, representing hope, strength, support, and encouragement for people who live with mental illness.
The color green can be displayed by, for example, adding an image of a green ribbon, changing the color of an email signature text, adding a green hashtag to an email signature block, and using virtual backgrounds with a mental health or a green theme.
A public kick-off event is scheduled for today at the State Capitol on Oahu. The event will provide education about youth and adult mental health, promotion and prevention activities, support services, treatment options, and community advocacy initiatives.
Other data shows that 1 in 5 youth has a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder; 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness; and 1 in 5 older adults ages 55 years or older experiences a mental health concern.
“Mental health is an important public health issue we should discuss with our youth, as a family, and in our communities,” the news release said.
Individuals needing crisis, mental health, and substance use support services can call, text, or chat 988 for the Hawaii CARES 988 free 24/7 call center; or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting ALOHA to 741741. For emergencies, call or text 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
For more information about children’s mental health services, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/camhd/.
For more information about adult mental health services, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/amhd/.
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