Mental health is one of the most important aspects of a person’s existence. That aspect, like all of the others that make a person, has a profound impact on an individual’s whole being and their quality of life.
As we all know, the stressors and pressures of life can be heavy, and life is not always sunshine and rainbows. For many, resources are the least of their worries- as everything else unfortunately takes precedence. We are hoping to change that by providing a quick reference to utilize in their time of need.
If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or go directly to the emergency room for an evaluation.
What is a Mental Health Crisis?
Mental health crisis is defined as a person’s emotions, thoughts, and/or behaviors put them in an immediate risk of endangering themselves or others. It also occurs when an individual’s mental health breaks down due to intense emotional, mental and physical stress.
What Resources Are Available on Hawai'i Island?
🧠 Crisis & Emergency Support
Hawaiʻi CARES 988: A free, 24/7 statewide crisis line for mental health and substance use support. You can call, text, or chat via hicares.hawaii.gov or dial 988 directly. Hawai‘i CARES 988+1Hawaii Department of Health+1
Hilo Benioff Medical Center Behavioral Health Unit: Provides acute psychiatric emergency services for children, adolescents, and adults. The Emergency Department offers behavioral health assessments and referrals, initiating tele-psychiatry consultations as needed. Hilo Benioff Medical Center
🏥 Community Clinics & Outpatient Services
Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center: Offers integrated behavioral health services with psychologists and clinical social workers for individuals and families. hicommunityhealthcenter.org
Hawaiʻi Island Health & Wellness Center (HIHWC): Part of the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, HIHWC provides counseling and therapy services to the general public and current BISAC clients. bisac.org
Mental Health Kokua: Provides case management, psychosocial support, and coordinated care to individuals with mental health challenges. Yelp
Kaiser Permanente Hilo Clinic: Offers behavioral and mental health services. For more information, visit their facility directory.Kaiser Permanente+1Kaiser Permanente+1
👨👩👧👦 Youth & Family Services
Hawaiʻi Family Guidance Centers: Supports child and family wellness by promoting engagement with emotional and behavioral health services. Hawaii Department of Health+1hicommunityhealthcenter.org+1
Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health: Provides services for children and youth with mental health, emotional, and behavioral needs, including early intervention and outpatient mental health services. Hawaii Behavioral Health
🎓 College Student Support
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Counseling Services: Offers counseling services and referrals to community providers. Contact them at (808) 932-7465. University of Hawaii at Hilo+1University of Hawaii at Hilo+1
Hawaiʻi Community College Mental Wellness Services: Provides students with a confidential space to seek resources and engage in counseling. Hawaii Community College
🤝 Peer & Family Support
NAMI Big Island (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers free, confidential support groups for family members and individuals living with mental illness. Meetings are held online via Zoom. Contact Kathy Hammes at (808) 959-2426 or [email protected] for more information. namihawaii.org
🇺🇸 Veteran Services
Hilo Vet Center: Provides counseling and support services to veterans. Contact them at (808) 969-3833. University of Hawaii at Hilo
VA Pacific Islands Health Care System: Offers outpatient mental health services, including PTSD treatment, through Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Hilo and Kona. Wikipedia
📞 Additional Resources
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) Crisis Line: Call 1-800-753-6879 for crisis support. University of Hawaii at Hilo+3Hawaii Department of Health+3University of Hawaii at Hilo+3
Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi: Provides mental health resources and support. Contact them at 1-800-753-6879. University of Hawaii at Hilo
These resources aim to provide comprehensive support for mental health needs across the Big Island. If you need assistance navigating these services or have specific questions, please reach out to us CLICK HERE
