Mental Health Service Discussion Kicks Off on Maui

By Wendy Osher

The state Department of Health will visit Maui as part of a statewide series of meetings to gather input on services offered to adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

The information gathered will be used to develop plans for the department’s Adult Mental Health Division for 2013 and beyond.

The statewide series will begin on Maui on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2013, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Cameron Center Auditorium in Wailuku.

“Gathering input from community members about the mental health system in each county plays a critical role in the state’s planning process for improving services,” said Health Director Loretta J. Fuddy. “These sessions offer an important venue for the public to provide their thoughts and insights about mental health services where they live and work. We invite and encourage all community members to participate in these focus groups.”

The meetings are open to the public and will be held in every county from Jan. 9 through Feb. 20, 2013.

The schedule of meetings will take place at the following times and locations:

• Maui:  Jan. 9, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Cameron Center Auditorium, 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI 96793
• Hilo, Hawaiʻi:   Jan. 16, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Environmental Health Building Conference Room, 1582 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo 96720
• Honolulu, Oahu:   Jan. 25, 2013, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Lanakila Health Center Conference Room, 1700 Lanakila Ave., Honolulu, HI 96817
• Kona, Hawaiʻi:  Jan. 28, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., West Hawaii Civic Center Conference Room, 75-5044 Ane Keohokalole, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Leeward, Oahu:   Jan. 29, 2013, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse Conference Room, 94-091 Waipio Pt. Access Rd., Waipahu, HI 96797
• Lihue, Kauai:   Jan. 31, 2013, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Kauai District Health Office Conference Room, 3040 Umi St., Lihue, HI 96766
• Lanai:  Feb. 15, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Hale Kupono O Lanai Elderly Conference Room, Lanai City, HI 96763 (Tentative)
• Molokai:  Feb. 20, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Office of Hawaiian Affairs Conference Room, Kulana Oiwi Complex, Bldg. D., 600 Maunaloa Hwy., Kalamaula, HI 96748