Mayor Celebrates Mental Health Month on Maui

By Wendy Osher

File photo from 2008 Wailuku protest against mental health cuts, by Wendy Osher.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month on Maui.  As part of the effort to raise awareness, improve care, and promote advocacy, Mental Health America of Maui, a non-profit group, will host a fundraiser dinner with Mayor Alan Arakawa.  The event takes place at 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2011 at Café O Lei at Maui Lani.

Fundraiser tickets are $65 per person and include a night of dinner, music, and entertainment by Tim O’Hara and Tony Krieg, the CEO of Hale Makua.  Tickets are available at the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) office in Wailuku at 2145 Kaohu Street, Second Floor, or by contacting Executive Director, Colleen O’Shea Wallace at 242-6461.

The event features a silent auction with items that include a “La Perouse” lithograph by Curtis Wilson, original oil painting by Jack Hamilton, a lunch for 2 with Mayor Alan Arakawa at Dragon Dragon Restaurant, and more.

Mental Health America of Maui County is a volunteer organization which works to promote mental health, reduce stigma and prevent problems associated with mental illnesses. Its mission also aims to improve the care, treatment and participation of children, adults, families with mental illness through public education and advocacy.

Mental Health America of Maui County is a Maui United Way Agency.