<\/span><\/p>\n

One of Mental Health America of Hawaii\u2019s most important activities is to vigorously advocate on mental health issues at the Legislature and with state agencies, to act as a voice for those with serious mental illness. We have been doing this since 1942.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently Mental Health America of Hawaii has advocated for:<\/span><\/p>\n

Hawaii\u2019s Crisis Line: We and others have advocated for improvements in Hawaii\u2019s suicide crisis line, with the result that substantive changes were made in how it operates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assisted Outpatient Treatment: This law (Act 221) enables psychotic, severely mentally ill and disabled individuals who frequently are jailed and hospitalized to be ordered by Family Court to receive treatment in the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Autism Insurance Coverage: This bill, which ensures that Hawaii receive the benefit of health coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder, passed in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental Health Care for Severely Mentally Ill: We work with the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to improve the quality of mental health services for those with severe mental illness. Also, we are very concerned about the severe lack of psychiatric hospital beds and the dire shortage of psychiatrists in the community, especially in the Neighbor Islands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental Health of Hawaii\u2019s Maui County Branch is very active in local advocacy, raising the issue of suicide prevention, organizing public protest against the closure of Maui Memorial Hospital\u2019s adolescent psychiatric unit, and highlighting mental health issues in the County\u2019s efforts to address homelessness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Email us at info@mentalhealthhawaii.org<\/p>\n<\/div>

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