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The Pono Youth Program aims to reduce risk and cultivate resiliency in the young people of Hawai`i, placing special emphasis on reaching those 10 \u2013 24 years of age from high-risk communities, cultures, identities, and housing statuses. The overarching program includes a 6-point approach commonly referred to as \u2018pillars.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Youth Suicide and Bullying Prevention Program:<\/b> The Youth Suicide and Bullying Prevention Program, created by Mental Health America of Hawai\u02bbi in 2008, has trained more than 30,000 youth and adults in the last 15 years. <\/a>>><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Schizophrenia Education and Awareness Program (SEA):<\/strong> MHAH\u2019s Schizophrenia Education & Advocacy efforts is to implement a three-point program that provides youth (13 \u2013 22 years of age) who have not yet expressed potential risk for schizophrenia through the prodromal schizophrenia stage, absent of schizophrenia symptoms that have not yet had their first episode of psychosis.>><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Self-Care & Resilience Trainings:<\/strong> The youth self-care and resilience trainings are designed to provide participants with tips and strategies to manage complex emotions, provide coping skills, identify toxic environments, and maintain a safe mental health space.>><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Adults Supporting Youth:<\/strong> Equally as important as reaching precariously connected and disconnected youth, is preparing youth serving adults with the necessary skills to learn the signs and symptoms of mental illness, the capacity to identify risks for suicide, and strategies to intervene and navigate resources available.>><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Grow a Rainbow:<\/b> Grow a Rainbow offers resources and strategies for supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Youth (LGBTQ) youth and families. For the last several years, Mental Health America of Hawaii has helped community groups and schools create \u201csafe spaces\u201d for LGBTQ youth \u2013 programs that are welcoming and empowering to these youth. Mental Health America of Hawaii has worked extensively with GLSEN Hawaii (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) and GSA\u2019s (Gay-Straight Alliance) in the schools. >><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 Resilience in School Environments (RISE):<\/strong> The RISE Program is an initiative that empowers schools to create safe and supportive learning environments by developing policies and practices that improve the social-emotional health of all students and staff.>><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the above, MHAH also uses social media to publicly share resilience education through its posts. On average, each month the social media accounts get about 20,000 engagements.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>