Events planned to raise awareness for suicide prevention and promote mental health : Maui Now

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and it’s time to raise community awareness about this important public health issue. The Hawaii Department of Health and its partners are holding a series of events to call attention to this issue and promote mental health resources.

“Suicide is serious, complex, and preventable. Effective suicide prevention strategies are comprehensive. They require coordinated efforts at all levels of society and engagement of individuals, families and communities. We can all contribute to suicide prevention,” said Alvin C. Bronstein, M.D., director of the DOH Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Division.

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of preventable death for Hawaii residents. On average, nearly four people die by suicide each week. A total of 1,003 residents died by suicide from 2018 to 2022.

More than 76% of all suicides in Hawaii are men, with men aged 20 to 59 at the highest risk.

Gina Kaurukui, Co-Chair of the Suicide Prevention Hawaii Task Force, said, “Suicide is a multifaceted issue that affects every community in the state. Our comprehensive approach to suicide prevention Enhances hope, help and healing to protect our “ohana”.

Stephanie Garcia, co-chair of the Joint Military Suicide Prevention Task Force, said, “We continue to work with the Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Division and the Governor’s Challenge of Hawaii to tackle the devastating problem of suicide. I will go,” he said. among military and veterans in our community. “

Isolation and talking about despair and having no reason to live are warning signs of suicide. If you or someone is experiencing any of these signs, talk to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.

resource:

• of Hawaii Kares 988 is a free call center for crisis, mental health and substance use. Locally trained and qualified clinical and crisis call center staff to provide supportive counseling, screening for urgent or emergency mental health or substance use needs, behavioral health assessments, services, and crisis intervention recommendations provide. Call or text 988. This service is available 24/7. For more information, please visit: hicares.hawaii.gov.
• To learn more about suicide prevention in Hawaii, join our free anonymous online suicide prevention training or request an in-person suicide prevention training. https://health.hawaii.gov/emsipsb/injury-prevention/suicide-prevention/.
• of Hawaii Poison Center Useful in poisoning emergencies. Call 1-800-222-1222. Help is available to him 24/7. For more information, please visit: Hippoison Center.org.
• of American Suicide Prevention Foundation People of all backgrounds come to the Hawaii chapter. For more information, please visit: www.afsp.org/Hawaii.
• For more information on suicide prevention best practices, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Suicide Prevention Action Resources. website.

2023 Suicide Prevention Month event

Statewide:

• Declaration of Governor Josh Green

Kauai:

• September 1: 6am-9pm “Light Up the Night” Glow Golf fundraising event by Kauai Mental Health Advocacy Group at Ocean Course in Hokuala, offering clinical services and suicide prevention workshops. We support. To register, visit rb.gy/cwjwc.
• To donate or volunteer for the Kauai Suicide Prevention Task Force, please contact Patricia Wistinghausen. [email protected] Or call 808-346-7492.
• For the latest information on our activities, please visit PreventSuicideKauai.org.

Oahu:

• September 9: Suicide Prevention Foundation’s Out of the Darkness Walk Oahu and Resource Fair, Skygate, Honolulu Hale. Registration opens at 8:00 am Event starts at 9:00 am To register, please visit https://afsp.org/chapter/hawaii#events.
• September 13: SafeTALK suicide prevention training hosted by the Steven A. Cohen Clinic and Catholic Charities Hawaii’i. 9am-1pm, 1822 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu. For more information, please email Annisa Budiman. [email protected].

Molokai:

• Second Tuesday of each month: Adult Suicide Survivor Bereavement Support Group organized by Nā Pu’uwai. Please contact Anuhea Beair for more information. [email protected] or 808-560-1060.

Hawaii Island:

• September 11: Mayor Mitch Ross makes a declaration at 2:00 p.m. at the Open Center in Hilo
• September 1-29: Poster banners are displayed at Keaau High School and Kinnole Street.
• September 12: 4:30 p.m. Sign up with Island of Hawaii Suicide Prevention Task Force, University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College For more information, please contact Yolisa Duley. [email protected] or [email protected].
• September 30: Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk and Resource Fair, Lifekeeper Memory Quilt Talk Story. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hale Halawai, 75-5760 Ali’i Drive Kailua-Kona. Contact hipreve’s girlfriend Yolisa Duley for more information.[email protected] and Wendy Schwartz [email protected].

army:

• Sept 1: Fight for Each Other (F4EO) Project Brown Bag Lunch with Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Rob Swanson – “You Are Not Alone”, Tripler Army Medical Center, Kaiser Auditorium at 10am 1:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• September 9: “From Dark to Light” hosted by The Nine^th Mission Support Command Suicide Prevention and Hawaii Dog Foundation, Local Dog Rescue and Suicide Prevention Resource Fair. 10am-1pm, Field of Heroes Courtyard, 1557 Suehiro Road, Bldg.1557, Fort Shanter Flats, Honolulu.
• September 12: Suicide prevention training day. 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at U.S. military posts in Hawaii. Army Substance Abuse Program Building 556, 344 Heard Avenue, Schofield Barracks.
• September 15th: Painting and Zen.3pm-5pm US Vets Tiny Homes, 91-1070 Yorktown St. in Kapolei
• September 29: Painting and Zen. 11am – 1pm Military & Family Support Center, Honolulu, Bougainville Drive 4827.
• September 1-30: Community Art Project “Message of Hope” Exhibit at Navy Exchange Mall Lobby Rotunda, 4725 Bougainville Drive, Honolulu
  • The Joint Military Suicide Prevention Task Force meets on the first Thursday of each month. 11:30am – 12:30pm. Please email us for more information. [email protected].