National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, May 9

In commemoration of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on Thursday, May 9, 2019, a variety of local events will take place across the state.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division has joined with community partners statewide to emphasize the need for comprehensive, coordinated mental health services for children, youth, young adults and their families.

This year’s theme for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is “Suicide Prevention: Strategies That Work.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which hosted its first awareness event in 2005, will focus this year on the impact suicide has on children, youth, young adults, families and communities.

Gov. Ige has also signed a proclamation declaring the importance of positive mental health for all of Hawai‘i’s keiki and commemorating National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, which will be recognized on May 9, 2019.

Local events will take place from May 4 to 10, 2019 to build awareness and educate the public about the importance of protecting children’s mental health.

“The emotional and behavioral well-being of our keiki is as important as their physical health. We need to work together as a community to ensure resources and support for mental health are available to youth,” said Dr. Stanton Michels, administrator for DOH’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. “The first step is knowing wher­­e to start, what’s available and how to access services.”

Maui

• Sign waving at Maui Lani Shopping Center on May 9, 2019 from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Contact Pualani Basbas at MBASBAS@cfs-hawaii.org or by calling (808) 243-1258.
• Information table at Maui Waena Middle School on May 9, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. Contact Pualani Basbas at MBASBAS@cfs-hawaii.org or (808) 243-1258.

Oʻahu

• Honolulu Hale will display green lights in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness from May 6 to 10, 2019. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will sign a proclamation commemorating National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
• The IBM Building will display green lights in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day from May 6 to 10, 2019.
• Sign waving and a mini resource fair will take place at the Kapolei State Office Building on May 9, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Michele Faller at michele.faller@doh.hawaii.gov or (808) 692-8227.
• Sign waving and a mini resource fair will take place at Aiea Shopping Center on May 9, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Earl Young at earl.young@doh.hawaii.gov or (808) 453-6762.
• Sign waving will take place at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on May 9, 2019 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Contact Jennifer Irvine at jennifer.irvine@doh.hawaii.gov or (808) 733-9346.
• A Mental Health Short Films Showcase will take place at Impact Hub Honolulu on May 10, 2019 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Hawaiʻi Island 

• Mālama Da Mind, the 14th annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day event celebrating individuality will take place at Kea‘au High School cafeteria on May 4, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Noelani Bowman at bowmanl@hibh.org or (808) 935-7949.

Kauaʻi 

• Sign waving will take place at the Kaua‘i Historic County Building on May 9, 2019 from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Contact Lucinda Medeiros at lucinda.medieros@doh.hawaii.gov or (808) 274-3887.

To find out more about National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day or how to host your own community event, visit SAMHSA’s website at https://www.samhsa.gov/childrens-awareness-day.

Helpful resources regarding children’s mental health can be found at www.keikimentalhealthmatters.org and helpyourkeiki.com.

For free, 24/7 crisis support, text ALOHA to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line, or call Crisis Line of Hawaii at (808) 832-3100.