Aloha! It’s an honor to introduce myself as MHAH’s new Executive Director and join in the mission of this organization dedicated to mental wellness for all. I have observed the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness along with their families and loved ones as they struggle to find help and achieve recovery. I have also seen how stigma prevents many from seeking and obtaining treatment. I am excited to work on these issues and hope that I can make a positive difference in this role.
Advocacy is key to making the policy changes that will help prevent and treat mental illness. I have been working in the area of advocacy for the past three years as Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Social Policy Director, where my focus was on vulnerable populations and poverty alleviation. I’ve also worked in the areas of HIV Care and Child Abuse and Neglect prevention. In all of these experiences, mental health and addiction have had significant impact and I have developed a passion for increasing compassion and understanding of these issues as we work on the systemic barriers to treatment.
I’m privileged to have been born and raised in Honolulu and since I decided to pursue a career in Human Services 18 years ago, I haven’t looked back. Our community has many challenges but we also have many resources and I strongly believe that we can achieve better health and social justice.
Whether you are seeking help, information, or looking for a mission to be a part of, please reach out to us at Mental Health America of Hawai’i. I look forward to working with you.