Blog

October has been designated, "Depression and Mental Health Awareness" month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is dedicated to provide resources and support for individuals and families who have been affected by mental illness. From NAMI-Hawaiʻi: " NAMI Hawaii Programs are for people whose lives have been affected by mental illness.  Through our free programs you’ll meet other families affected by mental illness of their loved ones or people living in recovery from mental...

There has been much research about Native Hawaiian youth suicide, but we should also highlight programs that infuse Native Hawaiian culture into their programming to build wellness and resilience. Programs such as, Hoʻo Kū ʻĀina , Kinai Ehā and Keiki ʻo Ka ʻĀinaʻs, "Board and Stone" class , have been a "canopy" of protection for our communities by promoting Native Hawaiian cultural practices, providing education and empowering Native Hawaiian communities. There are many more programs that...

This is a fascinating research piece from the American Journal of Public Health that draws the connection between certain risk factors (child sexual abuse, household dysfunction and other ACE categories) and adult and child hunger. It is dated (2004), but it does highlight the need for protective factors as a successful strategy in building wellness and resilience. I am highlighting this research piece because of the issue with inflation, housing and food insecurity, we need to uplift...

The Office of Wellness and Resilience , was celebrated today at the Hoʻokupu Center , marking a three year journey in Hawaiʻi becoming a Trauma-Informed State! SB2482 , introduced by Senator Donovan Delacruz and signed by Governor Ige, creates an office that is tasked with building wellness and resilience in the State of Hawaiʻi through a cross-sector/public and private partnership strategy that embeds Hawaiʻiʻs rich cultural practices (Native Hawaiian and other ethnicities) of healing with...

Summary What is already known about this topic? Drug overdose deaths increased 30% in the United States from 2019 to 2020. Known health disparities exist in overdose mortality rates, particularly among certain racial/ethnic minority populations. What is added by this report? From 2019 to 2020, overdose death rates increased by 44% and 39% among non-Hispanic Black (Black) and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons, respectively. As county-level income inequality increased,...

This is a great article to raise awareness both language and social emotional development for our early learners and their 'ohana. The mask mandate (I am an advocate for wearing a mask) could potential stunt the socio-emotional growth of a child. This is why it is so important for parents in the safety of the home, help their keiki with the learning and reading of social and emotional cues. Early childhood educators should consider providing resources to caregivers to help families with...

This is a great article that highlights the need to addresses the need for awareness and to grow mental health practices in Hawai'i. The article mentions the five-year Infant and Early Childhood Behavioral Health (IECBH) Plan that integrates mental health and trauma-informed care into the health and early learning systems throughout the state. A cross-sector approach to building wellness and resilience is definitely trauma-informed. Mahalo to Justina Acevedo-Cross and Erin Henderson Lacerdo...

May is, "Mental Health Wellness" month. I will be showcasing conferences and professional development opportunities that address mental health awareness by addressing and building wellness. The amazing folks at the Community Resilience Initiative are putting on their 7th annual Paper Tigers Conference. It is a virtual event that features experts from across the nation (including Hawai'i speakers) who are building wellness and resilience in their states. To register click on this link .

Aloha, We are having our 2nd Annual "Kahewai 0-5 Wellness and Resilience Summit on Thursday April This conference is for the 0-5 providers (Family Childcare, Family Child Interactive Learning, Home Visiting and Center-based care). Our theme this year is, "Hā" or "breath." The pandemic has been challenging for all of us, this virtual conference will focus on three types of breath: - "Catching our breath." We have been through the "COVID" sprints and we simply need to breath to restore...

This https://thomashuebl.com/why-covid-stress-feels-uniquely-painful/ by Thomas Hubl provides an interesting insight on the toll taken by COVID-19. As mask restrictions and social distancing standards begin to lift throughout our state, there are many who still feel the stress, tension, anxiety, and trauma of the last two years. Hubl, defines Collective Trauma as, “ . . . a sudden shock upends not just one person’s life, but everyone in the community.” Collective trauma as the article...

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee, released the following statements on inclusion of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA) in a bipartisan appropriations deal. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022’s tribal provisions will restore justice for Native...

“ The breath is a tool and can be used in many ways. Some types of breathing exercises definitely improve stress and anxiety. Just cross out “deep” and insert some other modifiers." - Julia Enguland Strait, PhD. I hope this post does not offend people who begin workshops or meetings with "deep breathing" exercises, it is not my intention. When I began zoom trainings during the pandemic, I would often start with a "Hanu/Hā" or breathing in and out to begin the session, for example, "4-7-8"...