State tackles need for stronger mental health support in schools

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education is requesting millions of dollars from state lawmakers for mental health positions and support programs in the years ahead.

In a survey of Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association members earlier this year, many educators confirmed the need for mental health resources at their schools, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Every week I hear another story from a student about some really traumatic things that have happened in their lives,” a Maui teacher wrote. “I work with EL (English learner) students who have huge gaps in their years of being in school, come to Hawaiʻi from regions that may have violent atmospheres and little care as a child.”

An Oʻahu teacher wrote, “As a teacher who has worked for almost a decade, I have seen through my students how much mental health resources are such a need for them, especially for my fourth graders within the past couple of years…Trying to de-escalate situations takes a toll on my energy levels and emotional capacity. I have seen the need for mental health resources through a colleague who works in SPED and constantly feels burnt out and hounded by deadlines.”

According to a Hawaiʻi Island teacher, “(There is) high demand on our school’s counselor. We need more counselors in schools and resources for students. Not all students and or families can access the help they need in a timely manner.”

The HIDOE’s current budget request before the state Legislature includes:

• $1.7 million: To extend mental health service management of care ​​to ensure all students across the state receive on-demand and scheduled care, treatment planning, care management, crisis consultation, reporting and follow-through.
• $1.6 million: To add 20 additional psychologist positions for intensive mental health support and services.
• $1.3 million: To provide summer counseling for continuity of social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health support to students and families across the state.
• $660,000: To add six additional district educational specialists to support mental health.
• $400,000: To offer trauma-informed sensitive school professional development.

The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education has already approved 20 additional permanent educational psychologists to support students experiencing acute mental health needs who require suicide/threat assessment and placement in intensive educational settings.

In documentation to the board, the HIDOE says, “Currently there are no dedicated mental health staff supporting effective transitions to and from intensive placements, and the use of protocols to assess threats of harm to self and others. A lack of support for students with the highest mental health needs often results in residential placement, which has cost the Department an average of $3,095,030 over the last 4 school-years.”

The HIDOE’s budget includes $1 million for a behavioral health specialist, an office assistant, and additional expenses dedicated to youth suicide awareness and prevention protocol.

In January, Assistant Superintendent Annie Kalama told the House Finance Committee the department needs dedicated staff to provide this training for schools across the state.

“This ask is to have a person dedicated to make sure that we have implemented and have assisted schools in getting the training that they need,” explained Kalama, who heads HIDOE’s Office of Student Support Services.

State Rep. Elle Cochran, who represents West Maui, noted that Molokaʻi has one of the highest teenage suicide rates in Maui County, and “something like this is going to hopefully, obviously, address bringing those kinds of numbers down, not just there specifically, but just across the board.”

“Absolutely,” Kalama responded. “The whole intent is really to make sure that all of our staff at the school level understands and is able to prevent and intervene as necessary.”

The department is also requesting $850,000 for a mental health mobile app that can provide students 24/7 access to a trusted and secure space to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and connect them to crisis and support hotlines.

In addition, the department is tapping into a $12.5 million federal grant dedicated to school-based mental health services, and needs legislative authorization to draw larger sums of money for:

• Tuition stipends for local accredited educational psychology and school psychology programs through Chaminade University.
• Credentialing opportunities for school-based behavioral health staff.
• A dashboard to monitor progress around well-being and mental health services.
• Additional pathways for Medicaid reimbursements.

Funds have also gone into statewide training to elevate trauma-informed care.

In his State of the State address, Gov. Josh Green highlighted critical mental health resources for Hawaiʻi schools and communities as a high-priority item for both his administration and the state Legislature.

“Our budget will reflect those priorities,” he said. “Each day without action means we miss another opportunity to heal Hawai’i, do what is right and just, and preserve our islands for future generations.”

Click to view:

• BOE-approved operating budget (Part 1 | Part 2)
• Budget briefing materials for the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Education, Jan. 13, 2023