LIHU‘E — The longer a family member or friend waits to assist a loved one in seeking help for their suicidal tendencies, “the more difficult it is in terms of the person’s recovery,” said Les Gusman, Mental Health Kokua’s county services director.
Editor’s Note: This is the third of a three-day series on suicide. The first day of stories appeared Sunday, the second on Monday.
LIHU‘E — The longer a family member or friend waits to assist a loved one in seeking help for their suicidal tendencies, “the more difficult it is in terms of the person’s recovery,” said Les Gusman, Mental Health Kokua’s county services director.
Mental Health Kokua provides services for adults (ages 18 and over) with “chronic and persistent mental illness,” he said.
One of the only programs on island which facilitates “residential care” with three group homes and a total of 15 beds, Mental Health Kokua focuses on a recovery plan that takes anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the individual’s needs, Gusman said.
Staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at two of the homes and 8 to 16 hours per day at the other, the goal is for the individual to achieve the stability to live independently again, he said, regarding the residential care homes located in Kapa‘a and Lihu‘e.
Referred to Mental Health Kokua by either a private physician or by calling the suicide and crisis prevention line, the program is completely voluntary, Gusman said.
People of all ages may call the statewide suicide and crisis prevention number if they are “feeling suicidal” or “overwhelmed,” said one of the hotline’s operators.
Friends, family or any other concerned individual may call as well and a dispatcher is sent over immediately to assist the person in need to “make sure they are stable,” they said.
After an assessment, the individual might be transported to the hospital whereby they will be referred to services like Mental Health Kokua by a physician.
The “team of professionals” at Mental Health Kokua also offers “self-help groups” for adults and is available on a walk-in basis, Gusman said.
Because there has “definitely” been an increase in the number of people admitted to Mental Health Kokua’s group housing program, people are currently placed on a wait list, he said. But free outpatient services, where one can talk with peers, are available. Call 529-4550 for more information.
“The sooner someone can enter our services, the better the rate of recovery,” Gusman said.
For people who have experienced the tragedy of a friend or family member who died by suicide, there are bereavement services available.
Kaua‘i Hospice offers a six-week support group, “Journey Through Grief,” for individuals and families; one-on-one grief counseling; and The Rainbow Connection, which is a monthly teen grief group, said Kaua‘i Hospice Development and Community Liaison Jennifer Cheek.
“We have seen an increase” over the past two years in referrals and request services affiliated with suicides, she said. “Whether this is a reflection of an increase in suicides or simply an increased awareness in Kaua‘i Hospice services is unclear.”
In addition, Rev. Caroline Miura meets with students on a one-one-one basis through referrals and hosts a six-week program called “Good Grief” for schools.
Online resources are also available, including suicide prevention chat rooms. However, Internet predators have reportedly been trolling the sites seeking the vulnerability of victims and virtually assisting people in the act of taking their lives, according to a recent article in The New York Times. Experts have recommended exercising caution when seeking help online.
Call 800-753-6879 to access the statewide suicide and crisis prevention line. Visit www.mentalhealthkokua.org or www.kauaihospice.org for more information.
Another available resource is the national suicide prevention lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255).
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
