#Alex Ortega

New study links 2023 Maui wildfire to spike in suicide, overdose

Deaths by suicide and drug overdose significantly increased in the aftermath of the August 2023 Maui wildfire, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Hawaiʻi’s suicide helpline struggles to meet demand after Maui wildfire

A surge of calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline one year after the Lahaina wildfires underscores urgent need for expanded Hawaiʻi-based mental health support services. However, limited local resources have caused many calls to be rerouted to out-of-state services, exposing critical gaps in local mental health infrastructure, according to the University of Hawaiʻi. These findings were published in JAMA Network Open on Nov. 20.

University of Hawaiʻi researchers launch study of Lahaina wildfire and its impact on residents

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers are undertaking a five-year, $3.8 million study of government’s response to the Lahaina wildfire disaster and its impact on residents.