Experts call for more mental health services on Kauai

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Mental health resources are needed statewide, but especially on Kauai, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.

“We’re seeing that especially on Kauai,” said Amy Curtis, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Adult Mental Health Division. “For example, it was very difficult to find psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. who could work in these counties.”

Meanwhile, treatment facilities on Kauai, which have been under construction since 2003, are still closed. The county said Grove Farms provided the land to build a residential treatment center for adolescents, but it had to open two years later. In September, the county settled with Grove Farms and returned the land, which was later taken over by the nonprofit.

Kauai County Council Chairman Mel Raposa said, “They are now working with providers in the state for dual diagnosis of residential and outpatient. It’s a 16-bed facility, but it’s sorely needed here on Kauai.”

But it’s not just Kauai. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has heard countless stories from families across the state struggling to find mental health resources.

“People feel lost because they might get treatment. What do we do?” said Kumi Macdonald of the National Alliance. Executive Director of Psychiatric Disorders.

Neighboring islands often suffer the most from lack of mental health resources and facilities, according to the Department of Health. DOH has so far opened and assisted stabilization beds on the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, and Maui.

“We are still looking at how we can do that on Kauai, and we have not yet received a response to our request for proposal there, but we are continuing our efforts,” Curtis said.

The DOH said 189,000 people were suffering from mental illness in Hawaii in 2019 and 2020, and 46,000 were dealing with serious mental illness. Advocates say more needs to be done to stay ahead of the problem.

“Once you get to phase one or phase two and people are better able to manage it, get it,” Macdonald said.