HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new program is launching to help kids struggling with mental health get the resources they need.
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Justina Acevedo-Cross with the Hawaii Community Foundation and Sondra Leiggi-Brandon with the Queen’s Health Systems joined Wake Up 2Day on Friday to tell us about the program.
“The Mental Health Pediatric Access Line (MPAL) is the first of its kind in the state,” Acevedo-Cross said.
Cross went on to explain further.
Ms. Hawaiʻi U.S. brings home the national crown, title “This dedicated warmline, launched by The Queen’s Health Systems, the Hawai’i State Department of Health (DOH), and the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s (HCF) Promising Minds initiative, aims to improve pediatric mental health services by connecting primary care providers on Maui, Lāna’i, and Moloka’i with mental health specialists so they can more efficiently assess, treat and refer patients with behavioral health needs. The program is helping to bridge a gap in our healthcare system by offering real-time support to healthcare providers,” added Cross.
The closet is no longer large enough to live in There are specific supports to pediatric primary care providers.
Hawaii looking to stop one of world’s worst invasive species “MPAL provides free, same-day support to pediatric primary care providers,” Leggi-Brandon said. “Through a confidential telehealth platform, providers can connect with child psychiatrists and care coordinators within 30 minutes or less. This service helps with assessment, treatment, and referrals for patients aged 0-21 with behavioral health needs. MPAL will immediately add capacity in child psychiatry, which is currently experiencing a workforce shortage.”
It’s your chance to walk in the shoes of Hawaiʻi’s ʻike kūpuna According to Acevedo-Cross, the goal is to create a support system that enhances menthol health services for children across Hawaii.
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“Especially in rural and underserved communities,” she said. “We have seen successful models of this program in Massachusetts and in Seattle, which have enhanced access to pediatric mental care. We’d like to replicate that success here in Hawaii and create a pediatric mental health support system that will support both healthcare providers and our local families.”
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