LIHU‘E — One of the results of Hurricane ‘Iniki that benefited Kaua‘i is still being practiced today, said Madeleine Hiraga-Nuccio, Branch Chief of the Kaua‘i Family Guidance Center. Following the ravages of the hurricane, there was a lot of services
LIHU‘E — One of the results of Hurricane ‘Iniki that benefited Kaua‘i is still being practiced today, said Madeleine Hiraga-Nuccio, Branch Chief of the Kaua‘i Family Guidance Center.
Following the ravages of the hurricane, there was a lot of services going out, and when people realized that these services would end, they got together to keep the services going.
The Mokihana Project was started about 10 years ago and works with the Department of Education to provide mental health services for students and professionals at the school level, said Jill Yoshimatsu of the Kaua‘i Department of Health.
“The combined staff assures that there is a psychologist or social worker at each of the schools here under the Mokihana Project,” Yoshimatsu said.
Kerlly Knudsen, a special services worker, was waving one of the signs created by students in school during the Thursday lunch-hour sign-waving rally geared to raise awareness that May is celebrated nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Hiraga-Nuccio said the Kaua‘i Family Guidance Center, the Dept. of Health, the Dept. of Education collaborate to provide mental health services to the children while Katie Vercelli at Friendship House and Rick DeTucci at the Kaua‘i Community Mental Health Center provide services for the adults.
Brande Ancheta, one of the sign-wavers, described herself as a parent partner.
“The FGC works with the children, I work with their parents,” Ancheta said. “Beyond that, I also work with the professionals in the DOE and case managers. It’s a great collaboration.”
Barbara Johnson, regional director of Parents and Child Together, said Kaua‘i has two PACT programs designed to keep adolescents in the community.
These programs include the Multi Systemic Therapy and the Functional Family Therapy, both being offered on contract with the state and dealing with high risk adolescents trying to cope with a number of issues including truancy, mental health, and others, Johnson said.
Hiraga-Nucci said the sign-waving rally was just one of three events planned for Kaua‘i to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.
On May 16, the Friendship House and other health providers will host a Mental Health Awareness Day at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center from noon to 3 p.m.
Vercelli, the Friendship House Clubhouse Director, said more than 20 different agencies will be providing information about the different resources available on Kaua‘i.
“Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining one’øs mental health as well as to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness,” Vercelli said in a letter. “The stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental illness has been identified as a barrier to recovery.”
A mini art display, live entertainment featuring members of Friendship House and prize giveaways are all part of the fun.
The month wraps up with “Our Health is in Our Hands” conference on psychiatric and medical advance directives at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 27.
