Community Resiliency Center Aims to Transform Mental Health Support

In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the execution of a grant aimed at establishing a community resiliency center in West Maui, overseen by the Native Hawaiian Education Association. The center is designed to provide behavioral health and community resources, modeled after successful post-disaster hubs. While the grant is still in its early stages and funding has not yet been received, community representatives from Kaiser and the Department of Health are involved in the planning process.

Miss Scott, a key speaker at the meeting, emphasized the importance of assessing mental health needs but noted that historically, such issues have been primarily addressed at the state level. She expressed caution about committing the county to long-term financial obligations related to mental health programs.

Member Cook shared a personal story highlighting the critical need for mental health services, underscoring the emotional weight of the discussions. He called for greater alignment between state and county agencies to ensure that services are accessible and culturally relevant, emphasizing the importance of trust in community interactions.

The meeting concluded with gratitude expressed to all participants for their contributions to the vital conversation on mental health, which remains a pressing issue both locally and nationally. The committee plans to continue exploring the grant's implications and the broader context of mental health services in the community.