Mental health, counseling available for people impacted by the Maui fires

There are several ways for people impacted by the Maui fires to get mental health help, counseling and resilience information.

They Include:

• The National Alliance of Mental Health is starting a Maui Strong support group. Meetings will be Aug. 19 and 26 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. To register, email: anisa@namihawaii.org
• Hawai’i Wildfire Recovery & Resilience Resource Guide. Go to hicares.hawaii.gov/Hawaii-wildfire.
• Hawaiʻi UTelehealth for confidential counseling. They say: “Itʻs Okay to ask for help. You donʻt have to fight your battles alone. Talk to us.” They can be contacted by calling 808-375-2745, emailing utele@hawaii.edu or going to hawaiiutelehealth.org.
• The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s Maui Community Mental Health Center is offering crisis mental health services. Call 808-984-2150 or go to mauiwellness@doh.hawaii.gov. People can also go in-person at 121 Mahalani St. in Wailuku, Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays, also from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Free mental health support group on Aug. 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. Zoom meeting at https://zoom.us/j/93303860163. Meeting ID: 933 0386 0163. The group will be facilitated by Natalia Werkoff.
• Hawaiʻi Cares is offering local crisis counselors. Call 808-832-3100 or 1-800-753-6879, or call/text/chat 988. After hour services are available.
• Mental Health America is offering help. Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746. To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.
• Carelon Behavioral Health, a partner with the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association, is offering free counseling services. Call 1-800-580-6934.