2019 NAMI Hawaii State Conference<\/h2>\n

On March 8th we partnered with NAMI Hawaii on their state conference for the third year in a row, this time with the addition of Sutter Health Kahi Mohala. We were excited to have over 250 people present, a 67% increase from last year! The theme of this conference was \u201cRadical Self-Care,\u201d focused on equipping attendees with knowledge of the science behind self-care as a means of improving and maintaining one\u2019s own mental wellness, as well as concrete information for individual practice.<\/p>\n

Dr. Paul Hutman, a practicing psychologist from the Redding, California Veteran\u2019s Administration, delivered the keynote, entitled \u201cBrilliantly Battling Burnout\u201d and a breakout session on meditation practices. Our Deputy Director, Pedro Haro, presented \u201cLive your Life Well, Digitally,\u201d combining evidence-based wellness strategies with useful digital tools. Our Program Director, Dr. Mestisa Gass, conducted \u201cCreative Healing\u201d which explained the positive impact art has on mental health and practical ways to implement creative practices into daily life.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re grateful to everyone who joined us to engage in this opportunity for learning, reflection and partnership. Coming together to talk about and promote self-care was also a way of decreasing stigma around mental health issues because it is something everyone can benefit from.<\/p>\n\n\t\t