There’s good news and bad news when it comes to the state of mental health in Hawaii. The good news is that the prevalence of mental health issues in Hawaii is consistently among the lowest in the US. The bad news is that access to mental healthcare is also consistently among the lowest nationwide. In fact, just about two-thirds of Hawaiians with mental health issues don’t receive treatment.
Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all Hawaii residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
Hawaii CARES
Sponsored by the Hawaii Department of Mental Health, the Hawaii CARES hotline is available around the clock to assist you through any mental health crisis. Oahu residents call 832-3100. Residents of neighboring islands can call 1-800-753-6879.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.