IT’S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE COVID 19 WAS DECLARED A PANDEMIC.

THE VIRUS HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON THE PHYSICAL WELL BEING OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

BUT IT’S ALSO AFFECTED EVERYONE’S MENTAL HEALTH IN SOME WAY, WHETHER IT’S STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ISOLATION OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS FEELING ADDED MENTAL DISTRESS, WE’LL EXPLORE WHAT HELP IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ AS THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC DRAGS ON, EXPERTS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT ANOTHER CRISIS, ONE THAT CAN LEAVE INVISIBLE SCARS.

IT COMES AFTER WE’VE ALL BEEN EXPOSED TO A ROLLER COASTER OF EMOTIONS.

FROM FEAR OF THE VIRUS, ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND SOCIAL ISOLATION TO NEW HOPE WITH VACCINATIONS.

BUT IT CAN BE HARD TO PROCESS AND IT’S NOT JUST ADULTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING, BUT CHILDREN AS WELL.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING THESE PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES AS PART OF OUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL BEING.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW TO OUR GUESTS.

KATHLEEN MERRIAM IS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND A CERTIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR.

SHE WORKS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – ADULT MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION AND IS THE TEAM LEADER FOR THE KU MAKANI HAWAII RESILIENCY PROJECT.

KUMI MACDONALD IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS HAWAII.

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FREE SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS.

DR. SONIA PATEL IS A CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND ADULT PSYCHIATRIST.

SHE GREW UP ON MOLOKAI AND RECEIVED HER TRAINING AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

AND FROM THE GARDEN ISLE, COLLEGE FRESHMAN TAVIA RAPOZO.

SHE’S A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ON KAUAI.

LAST YEAR SHE WAS NAMED THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB HAWAII STATE YOUTH OF THE YEAR.

WE WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS TONIGHT,.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

LIFE INGENERAL IS STRESSFUL.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE STRESS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS, MY PATIENTS TALK ABOUT IS JUST THE LACK OF CONTROL IN A LOT OF AREAS.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT SOCIAL DETERMINE ANDS MENTAL HEALTH, LIKE JOB LOSS, OR ISSUES STRUCTURAL RACISM COME UP EVEN MORE THIS YEAR, ECONOMIC INSTABILITY, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT MAKES IT REALLY DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THOSE ISSUES.

AND I THINK QUESTION ONE MORE TIME.

>>Yunji: JUST INTERESTED TO KNOW, WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE STRESS OF COVID 19.

LAST YEAR.

VERSUS STRESS THAT WE EXPERIENCED PREPANDEMIC.

>> WITH THOSE KIND OF ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP, AND SOCIAL ISOLATION, IT'S BEEN HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO REACH OUT AND CONNECT.

IT'S BEEN, THEY'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THESE THINGS ON THEIR OWN.

A LOT OF THINGS THEY WERE ABLE DO PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

THEY MAY END UP REALLY ALONE IN HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE THINGS.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOU SEEENING TERMS OF HOW THAT ACTUALLY PLAYS OUT?

HOW IS THAT EXPRESSES ITSELF AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING TO COPE?

>> WELL, WE NOTICE THAT AS SOON AS A PANDEMIC HIT, IT WAS AN UPTICK IN REQUEST FOR SERVICES.

WE NOTICED THAT PEOPLE WERE IN CRISIS.

A LOT OF PARENTS WERE CALLING AND SAYING THAT THEIR CHILDREN, IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN IN THIS CHILDREN OR EVEN OLDER PEOPLE HAVE SAID, I'VE NEVER SEEN MY HUSBAND ACT THIS WAY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING OUT WITH NEW DIAGNOSES.

AND SO HOW WE DID IT WAS THAT WE STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO START SUPPORT GROUPS ON ZOOM.

AND WE HAVE A PRETTY YOUNG STAFF THAT WAS ABLE DO THAT FOR US.

ABLE TO GET SERVICE RIGHT AWAY TO MEET NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES AND OF THE INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>>Yunji: HOW DO THOSE ZOOM MEETINGS, HOW DO WE KNOW THEY'RE WORKING?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I JUST TALKED TO OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR WHO HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE LEADERS FOR THE PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN RECOVERY.

COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, SHE WAS, I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PEOPLE.

SOME OF THEM ARE IN CRISIS.

THEY SUICIDAL IDEATION.

CAME OUT OF IN A HOSPITAL.

TALKED TO HER YESTERDAY, THOSE SAME PEOPLE CONTINUE TO COME EVERY TIME TO OUR SUPPORT GROUP AND THEY'RE DOING SO MUCH BETTER NOW.

SO WE DO SEE THAT THE SUPPORT GROUPS ARE HELPING AND SHE SAID, OTHER SUPPORT GROUP THE OTHER NIGHT, EVERYBODY WAS IN TEARS AND JUST SAYING HOW GRATEFUL THEY WERE FOR EACH OTHER TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

>>Yunji: WE REALLY DO NEED COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW.

KATHLEEN, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU, KU MAKANI PROJECT STARTED SPECIFICALLY FOR COVID CRISIS COUNSELING.

CAN YOU TELL US LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT YOU OFFERED, OFFER RIGHT NOW AND WHILE YOU ANSWER THAT, WE WANT TO SHOW OUR VIEWERS SOME NUMBERS THAT THEY CAN CALL FOR RESOURCES.

>> SURE.

SO THANK YOU.

KU MAKANI IS BASICALLY ON A FEMA GRANT THAT STATE OF HAWAII GOT, BASICALLY, BECAUSE IT'S EMERGENCY AND IT'S DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S A TIME LIMITED PROJECT.

SO PEOPLE CAN CALL NOW THROUGH OCTOBER, DURING THERE DIFFICULT TIME, TO GET SOME EXTRA HELM.

SO YOU CALL CRISIS LINE.

IT'S THE HAWAII CARES LINE WHICH IS OUR 1 POINT ENTRY INTO THE SYSTEM.

IT'S THAT 18753 6879 NUMBER.

THERE'S A KU MAKANI CALL CENTER IN EVERY COUNTY.

AND KU MAKANI IS OFFERING, IF GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, GREAT RESOURCE.

IF YOU GO THERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT YOU CAN GET INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, AS WELL AS GROUP COUNSELING.

OFFERING ALL KINDS OF GROUPS.

GROUPS PROVEN TO BE VERY HELPFUL DURING THIS TIME.

GREAT IF YOU CAN GET INTO INDIVIDUAL COUNSELOR BUT NOT ABLE ABLE TO GET INTO ONE RIGHT NOW ESPECIALLY NOW.

SO GROUPS HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY HELPFUL FOR FOLKS.

GROUPS ON YOGA, BENEFIT, ON UNEMPLOYMENT, ON FOR ONE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

WIDE RANGE OF GROUPS.

WITH OUR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE BEEN STATE OPERATED.

SO WE ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

NEVER DID CLOSE.

SO NOW, WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS JUST THERE'S A TRANSITION FOR THE CLIENTS REALLY TO, THEY DIDN'T COME IN A WHOLE LOT.

ONLY FOR EMERGENCY.

TO COME BACK ON REGULAR BASIS, THERE IS QUITE A TRANSITION.

THAT'S GOING ON.

>>Yunji: I KNOW THAT WE BROUGHT YOU ON HERE TO FOCUS ON YOUNG PEOPLE.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT SPECIFICALLY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FACING THAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT ADULTS ARE FACING DURING THIS TIME?

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

IF I'M BEING HONEST, I CAN DEFINITELY SEE A TREND IN SIMILARITIES BETWEEN OLDER GENERATION AS WELL AS THE YOUTH.

BIG ONE BEING LACK OF MOTIVATION.

FOUND A LOT OF YOUTH ARE STRUGGLING A LOT IN TERM OF FOCUS ON SCHOOL OR FINDING MOTIVATION TO COMPLETE SCHOOLWORK OR SHOWING UP TO CLASS FEELS LIKE A HASSLE FOR THEM.

THAT IS WORRISOME BECAUSE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I SEE YOUTH AS A LIGHT IN THE FUTURE.

IF THEY DECIDE THEY WANT TO THROW AWAY THEIR ACADEMIC CAREER OR PUT ASIDE SPORTS OR ANYTHING HAD A MEANS SOMETHING TO THEM, CAN YOU SEE THAT DECLINATION IN THE WAY THEY USED TO PURSUE LIFE UP UNTIL RECENTLY.

THAT IN ITSELF IS VERY HEARTBREAKING TO WATCH.

>>Yunji: BECAUSE OF THAT, HOW HAS THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BEEN ABLE TO KEEP SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND KEEP MEMBERS IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER AND TO KEEP THAT SOCIAL ASPECT?

WE KNOW THAT IT ALL STAGES OF LIFE, OF COURSE, BEING SOCIAL IS IMPORTANT, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> YEAH.

>> SO AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE ORIGINALLY DOING ZOOM PROGRAMS.

WE WOULD ZOOM IN WITH MUSIC.

SPECIFIC ONE FOR ELEMENTARY, TEENS, MIDDLE SCHOOL.

LUCKILY NOW, WE WERE ABLE TO TRANSITION INTO BEING IN PERSON WHILE FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINE.

AMAZING TO SEE THE YOUTH GROW WHEN WE FIRST ENTERED INTO THE PANDEMIC, STRUGGLING AGAIN WITH SOCIALIZING.

BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER SEEMED LIKE SUCH A DIFFICULT AND HARD TASK.

SEEM MORE COMFORTABLE FINDING SENSE OF FAMILIARITY BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND BEING ABLE TO BOND.

>>Yunji: SEES LIKE THAT PEER EXPERIENCE IS SO IMPORTANT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM INTRAS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY'RE SEEENING THEIR CHILDREN AND HOW THEY CAN HELP TO NAVIGATE THIS WITH THEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PARENTS REALLY CONCERNED.

I'M GETTING ALMOST FIVE, SIX CALLS A DAY FOR NEW PATIENTS WHICH IS PREPANDEMIC.

WASN'T LIKE THAT.

THERE IS A BIG NEED.

PARENTS ARE NOTICING THINGS.

AND THEY'RE NOTICING BECAUSE IF KIDS ARE AT HOME, SEEING ISOLATION.

SEEING KIDS NOT MOTIVATED OR NOT DOING THINGS THEY NORMALLY LOVED.

SOME OF PARENTS ARE CALLING BECAUSE THEIR KIDS ARE IN COLLEGE, FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE, THEY WENT AWAY.

STILL ALL ON ZOOM.

VERY ISOLATED.

KIDS ARE COMING HOME BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY DEPRESSED, TO THE POINT OF BEING SUICIDAL.

NOTICING THINGS.

CALLING.

WHAT THEY CAN DO, KEEP COMMUNICATION GOING.

>> TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN, NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK TOUGHER QUESTIONS.

EVEN QUESTIONS LIKE, ARE YOU FEELING, HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS?

DO YOU WANT TO HURT YOURSELF?

REALLY ALSO ASKING ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE I'M SEEING ARE HAVE STARTED USING SUBSTANCES TO COPE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OTHER NORMAL COPING STRATEGIES ANY MORE.

I THINK REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

IT IS HARD TO GET INDIVIDUAL COUNSELOR.

DEFINITELY, TOUGH.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER RESOURCES OUT THERE.

I KNOW NANNY WEBSITE HAS GREAT INFORMATION BUT TO DEFINITELY REACH OUT FOR HELP.

>>Yunji: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THOSE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE KU MAKANI FOR TEENS AND FOR YOUTH AND ALSO FOR PARENTS TRYING TO HELP THEIR KIDS GO THROUGH SOME OF THIS?

NAMI IS ABOUT COMMUNITY.

GIVING THE SUPPORT SYSTEM.

SO I KIND OF EQUATE IT TO SIMILAR TO AA AND AL ANON.

WHERE KIND OF IF YOU'RE SOMEONE LIVING IN RECOVERY FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, WARRIOR KIND OF LIKE, AA SUPPORT SYSTEM.

WE HAVE EDUCATION CLASSES.

WE HAVE SUPPORT GROUPS.

AND THEN AGAIN, FOREST FAMILIES AS WELL, EDUCATION, 8 WEEK COURSE, ON HOW, STEP BY STEP, HOW TO CARE FOR SOMEBODY.

WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS.

OR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.

HOW TO SET BOUNDARIES.

>> AS A CAREGIVER, PRACTICE SELF CARE.

FOR THE PEERS LIVING IN RECOVERY, WE TALK ABOUT COPING SKILLS AND LIKE DOCTOR SAID, INSTEAD OF RUNNING TO ALCOHOL OR TO THE DRUGS, WE TEACH THEM HEALTHY COPING SKILLS.

WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF EDUCATION FOR YOUTH GOING TO SCHOOLS, VIA ZOOM, TALKING TO CLASSES, AND COLLEGES, ROTARY CLUBS, EVERYWHERE.

HAS BEEN INVITING US TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

AND NOW, WE'RE KIND OF GOING APPROACH OF LET'S TALK ABOUT MENTAL WELLNESS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY BE ARE NOT QUITE MENTALLY ILL, BUT LET'S PREVENT IT.

TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN PREVENT STRESS AND PRACTICE HEALTHY COPING SKILLS.

AGAIN, COMMUNITY.

>>Yunji: TELL US FEW OF THOSE, IF YOU WOULD.

>> I LIVE IN RECOVERY FROM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

RIGHT BEFORE THIS ZOOM MEETING, I DID MY YOGA.

DID MY PRAYER AND MEDITATION.

DID MY BREATHING TO GET CENTERED.

SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

EVEN JUST GOING INTO NATURE, ENJOYING THINGS, WITH YOUR FAMILY, SENSE OF COMMUNITY, PRACTICING YOUR FAITH, GOING FOR A WALK, AND EATING A LOT OF GREEN, THEY SAID JUST INCREASING FIBER CAN HELP A LOT WITH YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I PRACTICE.

SORRY GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ADD, I LIKE TO MY PATIENTS TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT NOW.

NOT TO FORGET TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT IN LOCKDOWN ANY MORE, BUT STILL IN THE STRANGE TIME.

WE'RE STILL LIVING.

WE'RE STILL ALIVE.

TRYING TO BE PRESENT.

THAT'S VERY TOUGH THING SOMETIMES.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO GET MICHAEL FROM MAUI HAS A QUESTION.

HE SAYS, REFUSING TO WEAR A MASK OR BEING TOO OBSESSIVE ABOUT MASK WEARING A FORM OF MENTAL ILLNESS?

>> I THINK HAD A FOR SO LONG, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND SO HERE IS SOMETHING TANGIBLE WE CAN DO.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A LARGER POLITICAL DEBATE, PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE BECOME POLITICAL DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WEAR A MASK.

HOW DO YOU SEE THIS EXPRESSING ITSELF, THE STRESS EXPRESSING ITSELF AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO MICHAEL ASKING ABOUT PERHAPS OBSESSIVE TENDENCIES WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING YOURSELF?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

DOCTOR IS.

INTO THE DIAGNOSING OF PEOPLE.

I CAN COMMENT ANYTHING THAT GETS WHAT HE IS DESCRIBING, USED THE WORD OBSESSING, I GUESS.

IF SOMETHING IS TAKING OVER YOUR THOUGHTS AND TAKING OVER YOUR ENERGY AND YOUR ABILITY TO FUNCTION EVERY DAY, WE KNOW THAT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S UNHEALTHY.

SO I THINK THAT OUR GOAL IS TO BE HEALTHY AND SAFE AND RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE.

AS WELL.

SO I THINK THAT WE'RE IT'S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND US.

KNOW WHAT THE NORMS ARE AND I THINK FOR MOST OF US, WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WEARING MASKS RIGHT NOW.

AND BEING HEALTHY.

AND TRYING TO STAY WITHIN A NORM.

RIGHT NOW, THE NORM IS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE CDC GUIDELINES.

BUT THE POINT HERE WOULD ALSO BE IF, IF WE GO OUTSIDE OF THE NORM AND START HAVING SOME THOUGHTS TO TAKE OVER, AND IMPACT OUR DAILY LIVING, OUR ABILITY TO FUNCTION, THEN THAT WOULD BE, IT COULD BE INDICATION A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION OR A PROBLEM.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEEK SOME ADVICE OR HELP.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S CHECK IT OUT WITH PEOPLE.

TALK ABOUT IT.

AND IF YOU NEED TO SEEK SOME PROFESSIONAL HELP, THAT IS, THAT'S I THINK A GREAT THING.

TAKES LOT OF STRENGTH BY THE WAY.

I WANT TO SAY.

TO ASK FOR HELP.

WE HAVE THIS STIGMA ABOUT PEOPLE THAT MAYBE IT'S WEAKNESS, MAYBE IT'S SIGN OF THIS REAL ILLNESS, BUT IT ACTUALLY IS A REALLY SIGN OF STRENGTH GO AHEAD AND ASK AND TALK ABOUT MAYBE THE NEED FOR HELP.

>>Yunji: I WONDER IF YOU WOULD ADDRESS THAT IDEA OF, HOW YOUNG PERSON CAN REACH OUT FOR HELP.

AND OTHER SIDE, IF YOU SEE A YOUNG PERSON WHO YOU'RE CONCERNED WITH WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST METHOD APPROACH THAT PERSON?

>> YEAH.

SO FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I FOUND THAT MOST TIMES OFTEN, IF NOT YOUTH ARE SPECIFICALLY, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AS.

IF ANYTHING, MORE THAN LIKELY TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE.

IF THEY DO DECIDE TO TALK ABOUT IT, ON THEIR TERMS NOT OURS.

>> BEST THING WE CAN DO IN OUR POSITION CREATE OPEN AND WELCOMING SPACE.

HEY, IF YOU EVER NEED TO TALK OR HAVE SOMETHING ON YOUR CHEST, I'M HERE AND HERE TO LISTEN FOR YOU.

PRETTY MUCH ALL WE CAN DO.

GOOD TO CHECK IN, HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

HAS ANYTHING GONE WRONG IN YOUR LIFE?

ANY QUESTIONS LIKE THAT.

SO BASICALLY, JUST CHECKING IN, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT YOU'RE THERE FOR THEM IS THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO.

>> CAN I ADD SOMETHING?

AS A MOTHER OF A TEEN, I REALIZE WITH THE FIRST SET OF KIDS THAT I HAD, LITTLE BIT OLDER, I DIDN'T PRACTICE ALL OF THESE SELF CARE THINGS OR VERBALIZE MENTAL HEALTH IN MY EVERY DAY LANGUAGE.

SO WHEN THEY, WHEN MY OLDER SON CAME DOWN WITH DEPRESSION, IT WAS A LOT HARDER FOR HIM TO EXPRESS HIS FEELINGS.

>> I HAVE A YOUNGER SON WHO IS A TEENAGER STILL IN THE HOUSE.

BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP, I WAS ALREADY VERBALIZING.

PRACTICING HEY, LET'S ALL TALK ABOUT OUR FEELINGS.

GET MENTALLY HEALTHY.

SO WHEN HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH A LITTLE BIT OF ANXIETY DURING THE PANDEMIC, HE WAS ABLE TO COME OUT, MOM, I NEED HELP.

I THINK I'M GOING THROUGH SO SOMETHING.

WE WERE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH.

BREATH TOGETHER.

PRACTICED PRAYER AND MEDITATION TOGETHER.

HE WAS ABLE TO COPE WITH IT.

I THINK JUST BEING PRACTICING PERSON, REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN HELPING YOUR KIDS.

THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

MIGHT BE SOME PARENTS WATCHING TONIGHT.

HOW DO WE KNOW IF OUR KIDS ARE JUST BEING TEENAGERS OR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS GOING ON?

HOW DO YOU START TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION?

>> FOR ME?

>>Yunji: PLEASE.

>> SO I WOULD, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT EVERYBODY HAS SOME GREAT INSIGHT I'M SURE.

FROM THE NAMI PERSPECTIVE, IT'S ABOUT JUST ASKING THE QUESTIONS, PAYING ATTENTION, AND THEN AGAIN, PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH.

RIGHT?

IT'S LIKE THEY SAY THAT IF YOU EAT VEGETABLES, YOUR KIDS WILL EVENTUALLY EAT VEGETABLES.

IF YOU EXERCISE, YOUR KIDS WILL PROBABLY GROW UP TO EXERCISE.

SO IN THAT SENSE, THINK IF WE'RE LIVING IT OUT, JUST TAKING A MOMENT TO JUST SPEND TIME WITH OUR KIDS, CHECK IN WITH THEM, I THINK, MAKE IT A REGULAR PRACTICE, I THINK WHEN MY SON, MY TEENAGER WAS STILL AT HOME IN THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, HE DIDN'T VERBALIZE AS MUCH.

BUT I WAS CONSISTENT IN CHECKING IN WITH HIM.

EVEN IF HE'S LIKE, I'M FINE, MOM.

IT'S LIKE, CHECKING IN.

OKAY.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

AND EVENTUALLY, WE TALK ABOUT IT LIKE A REGULAR TOPIC NOW.

JUST LIKE, IF HE HAS A STOMACH ACHE OR NOT FEELING EMOTIONALLY WELL.

JUST TAKES TIME.

BUT BE PERSISTENT AND BE PATIENT.

>>Yunji: NORMALIZING THAT CONVERSATION.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

THERE'S A CALLER FROM KAILUA.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS TO DR. PATEL.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE LINGERING EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC RELATED STRESS AND HOW PEOPLE COPE WITH THEM?

ONE OF THE THINGS BEEN SO TOUGH, FEELS NEVER ENDING.

>> WHEN DO WE GET TO THE END OF THIS.

GOVERNOR LIKES TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE NEW NORMAL.

FOR RETURN TO NORMAL.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS EVERYTHING UNDERSTRESSED FOR SUCH A LONG TIME?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS AS A TRAUMA.

IT WAS VERY SUDDEN WHEN IT HAPPENED.

LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR AGO.

AND THEN THE EFFECTS WERE SO WELL, NOT ONLY IMMEDIATE, BUT SEVERE.

AND EVEN AFTER IT GETS, STARTING TO GET BETTER, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A DELAYED TRAUMA RESPONSE.

AND THAT'S LIKE ANY OTHER TRAUMA.

WHEN PEOPLE GO THROUGH STRESS AND YOU WERE, SOMEONE WAS SPEAKING EARLIER ABOUT HOW MENTAL ILLNESS IS BEING SORT OF DIFFERENT MEDICAL, REALLY ALL THE SAME.

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH TRAUMA, CORTISOL RELEASED.

STUFF HAPPENS IN THE BRAIN.

VERY BIOLOGIC.

DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF STRESS YOU'VE HAD, THERE IS GOING TO BE A DELAY EFFECT.

SO I THINK MENTAL HEALTH THINGS THAT ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE OR INCREASE FUNDING OR HOPEFULLY ALL OF THESE THINGS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS TO BE LIKE NEVER BACK DOWN ON.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE YEAR OR TWO OUT DELAYED EFFECT.

SOME KIDS COMING BACK FROM COLLEGE BECAUSE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN SO TOUGH ON THEM, JUST NOW STARTING TO LOOK BACK AND GO, OH.

THIS IS YEAR HAS BEEN SLOWLY GOING DOWNHILL FOR ME.

THIS IS WHY.

TAKES A YEAR OR TWO TO SORT OF RECOUP FROM THAT.

YOU MISSED OUT ON THAT DEVELOPMENTAL, VERY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTAL TIME PERIOD.

SO I THINK WE'RE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>>Yunji: HOW DO WE RECOUP?

FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

WHEN WE'RE ESSENTIALLY STILL IN IT?

>> YEAH.

SORT OF LIKE THE WHOLE POINT ABOUT LIVING THE NOW.

REALLY FOCUSING ON, OTHER PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT THIS, BUT THE SELF CARE.

REALLY THINKING ABOUT EACH DAY, CREATING SOME SORT OF STRUCTURE.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND US BUT WE CAN CONTROL WHAT IS WITHIN OUR REALM.

FIGURING OUT WHAT THAT IS, WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US.

I LIKE TO TELL MY PATIENTS TO HAVE STRUCTURE.

THINGS THAT IF THEY DON'T, HAVE SCHOOL OR IF THEY HAVE THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT PROVIDES SOME SORT OF STRUCTURE.

BUT ALSO SELF CARE STRUCTURE.

THINGS THAT THEY ENJOY DOING.

THAT BRING THEM SOME PEACE, RIGHT?

AND THEN DEFINITELY SOME CONNECTION.

BUT NOT JUST SORT OF WAIT TILL THINGS ARE OVER TO SORT OF TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS NOW AND MAKE LIFE HAPPEN.

INTO THERE'S A CALLER FROM KALIHI.

I WOULD LOVE FOR TO YOU TAKE THIS ONE.

ARE THERE SIGNS THAT INDICATE SOMEONE'S MENTAL HEALTH STATUS HAS CHANGED?

HOW DO YOU APPROACH SOMEONE?

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> WELL, I THINK SOME OF THE SIGNS ARE BASICALLY IF THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN SOME PATTERNS.

SO SOME OF THE TYPICAL PATTERNS HAD, I TRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO, FOR EXAMPLE, SLEEPING.

WE DON'T GIVE A LOT OF ATTENTION TO HOW IMPORTANT OUR SLEEP IS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE JUST MULTIPLE AGENDAS GOING ON.

BUSY DAYS.

LOTS OF TECHNOLOGY GOING ON.

YOU KNOW, SLEEPING AND KIND OF WINDING DOWN IN THE EVENING AND, I NOTICED THAT IF SLEEP SOMETHING GETTING OFF, THAT COULD BE THE SIGN OF OTHER THINGS GETTING OFF.

WHAT HE SLEEP, HOW WE SLEEP, WHAT WE EAT, SOME OF THESE BASIC BACK TO THE BASICS.

A LOT LOT PEOPLE ARE KIND OF DOING BACK TO THE BASICS WANT TO GET MENTALLY HEALTHY.

SO IF THAT IS CHANGING, THAT'S KIND OF SYMPTOM, COULD BE A SYMPTOM.

COULD BE ALARMING FOR SOME FOLKS.

WHICH TALKED ABOUT COPING SKILLS EARLIER.

SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVE LOST SOME OF THEIR COPING SKILLS OR JUST KIND OF GOTTEN DAMAGED THROUGH THIS.

SOME OF THAT IS A RESULT OF TRAUMA.

SO IF PEOPLE'S COPING SKILLS, LITTLE SNAPPIER, LOST THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE, OR GET ALONG WITH OTHERS, JUST SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE NOT DOING THIS WELL.

I DO CHECK THAT OUT WITH PEOPLE.

AND I'M VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT HOW I BRING IT UP.

I'M THINKING THAT MAYBE I'M NOTICING LITTLE BIT A CHANGE.

OR SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE REACTING LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

OR OF COURSE THAT DEPENDS IF I'M TALKING TO MY PERSONAL LIFE OR PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

BUT ACTUALLY, THE KIND OF THE SAME SORT OF HONEST REACTION OF I'M JUST NOTICING A CHANGE.

AND TRYING TO REALLY GIVE THE MESSAGE OF I CARE.

COMING FROM A PLACE OF I CARE ABOUT YOU.

AND I'M WONDERING HOW YOU COULD HELP.

BUT REALLY FIND IT HELPFUL TO, SAME IF SOMEBODY IS BRINGING THAT UP TO ME.

I'M KIND OF NOTICING HAD A THERE'S A CHANGE OR IF I'M WANT TO EXPRESS CONCERN.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT YOU.

SO I GO FOR THE BEING OPEN AND HONEST AND ADDRESSING WHAT I'M SEEING.

AND I THINK PEOPLE APPRECIATE THAT.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ON HOW YOU THINK TEENAGERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE OVERALL ARE COPING AND HEALTHY WAY AND UNHEALTHY WAY.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRENDS YOU SEE IN CONVERSATION WAS YOUR OWN PEER GROUP AND WORK WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

HOW DO YOU SEE, ESPECIALLY YOUNGER KIDS, HOW ARE THEY COPING WITH ALL OF THIS STRESS?

THEY MUST BE FEELING IT EVEN JUST FROM THE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES.

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

I WOULD SAY, STARTING WITH YOUNGER KIDS, NOTICE A TREND OF AS DOCTOR SAID EARLIER, DON'T FEEL THE EFFECTS UNTIL LATER ON.

YOU CAN SLOWLY START TO SEE IT DEVELOP.

FOR EXAMPLE, TAKE A YOUTH THAT STILL HAVE TO PLAY SPORTS.

IF THEY COME TO THE CLUB NOW AND PLAYING SPORTS, DOING FINE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, ONE DAY, THEY JUST SNAP OUT OF IT.

THE THINGS THAT PROGRESSIVELY HAPPEN OVER TIME AND IN TERMS OF NOT EVEN JUST YOUNGER YOUTH, COULD ALSO BE MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL, EVEN ADULTS ACTUALLY WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT.

MOST DEFINITELY BE THAT.

IN TERMS OF TEENS, BIG TREND THAT I HAVE BEEN SEEING EITHER SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ISOLATION, TWO MAJOR ONES.

IN TERM OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN MY PEERS STRUGGLE WITH THAT JUST YET.

IN TERMS OF EXTERNAL OR MUTUAL EFFECTS, I CAN DEFINITELY SEE THE EFFECTS, HOW IT'S WEARING THEM DOWN.

THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

ONLY BRINGING THEM DOWN.

THAT IS WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR.

THEY'RE MY FRIENDS TO BE THERE AND HELP YOU AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

>> ANOTHER ONE ISOLATION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY COME HAND IN HAND WITH THAT ANOTHER ONE ISOLATION.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, UNIVERSITY STUDENT, FEELING EFFECTS COMING AFTERWARDS.

ESPECIALLY NOW SINCE I JUST FINISHED UNIVERSITY.

SAY FIRST YEAR.

STRESS COMES AFTERWARDS.

MAJOR TREND OF THINGS HAPPENING AFTERWARDS OR FEELING EFFECTS AFTERWARDS.

HOW ARE WITH GET GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT LONGTERM.

>>Yunji: STATE SERVICES.

>> COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

RANDOLPH ASKED VIA EMAIL, ADEQUATE HOSPITAL BEDS FOR THOSE WHO NEED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION?

AND FOLLOWING THAT, TIM IN KAIMUKI SAYS, HOW MUCH MUCH THE FEDERAL DOLLARS STATE RECEIVED WENT TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT?

DO WE KNOW?

ADEQUATE RESOURCES?

>> THINK KATHLEEN IS BETTER AT ANSWERING THAT.

SHE'S FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

SHE MIGHT KNOW LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH BEDS.

>> THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FUNDING.

>> WE KNOW THAT.

NOT ENOUGH PROVIDERS.

DOCTOR SAID.

JUST NOT ENOUGH.

WE KNOW THAT AT LEAST ONE IN FIVE ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

BUT WE KNOW PROBABLY, AFTER THIS PANDEMIC, IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN MORE.

SO WE REALLY JUST DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH BEDS.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING.

>> KATHLEEN AND DOCTOR, IF YOU CAN JUMP IN.

>> I THINK WE DO.

WE DO HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SUSTAINED PERIOD OF ADAPTING TO THE PANDEMIC.

AND WHAT ARE THOSE RESULTS.

WHEN WE GO THROUGH THIS KIND OF STRESS.

FOR THIS AMOUNT OF TIME.

WHAT'S THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

PROBABLY WILL NEED MORE SERVICES.

IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY BEDS FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE WHEN THEY NEED IN PATIENT CARE.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MAIN PSYCHIATRIC UNITS THAT TEND TO BE FULL.

AND THEN WE HAVE OUR ONE LARGE PSYCHIATRIC STATE HOSPITAL WHICH, YEAH, IT'S CONSTANTLY FULL AND OVER FULL.

AND SO THAT IS A CONCERN.

I THINK MANY ADVOCATES TRY TO SHARE THAT THEY TRY TO GET LOVED ONES IN THERE AND GENERAL, IT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF COURT INVOLVEMENT TO GET IN THERE.

SOME ADVOCATES GET VERY CONCERNED THAT WHY DOES IT MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT AND SO YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY SENSITIVE TOPIC AMONG MANY PEOPLE.

THAT THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH IN PATIENT BEDS.

AND THEN WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION WE'RE SAYING THIS IS GOING TO GET WORSE.

THAT IS DEFINITELY A CONCERN.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING AT THAT.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PLANNING FOR THAT.

WHAT IS THE STATE HAS DONE AND DOING THIS LAST YEAR, CREATING SOME CRISIS STABILIZATION BEDS.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS RATHER THAN HAVING PEOPLE GO TO IN PATIENT SETTING TO BE IN A LESS RESTRICTIVE SETTING, AND BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE ALL THE CRISIS SUPPORTS BE WITH THEM IN A TEMPORARY SETTING, STABILIZE THE CRISIS, THEN GET THEM BACK INTO THEIR HOME.

GROUP HOME OR FAMILY HOME.

AND SO THAT HAS BEEN A REAL FOCUS THIS LAST YEAR.

I THINK THAT BEEN EFFECTIVE MODEL TO HAVE LITTLE CRISES STABILIZATION UNITS SET UP IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ISLAND.

AND LOOKING AT THAT AND HOPEFULLY, REPLICATING THAT.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO ASK YOU, SORT OF BEFORE IT GETS TO THE POINT WHERE YOU NEED IN PATIENT EXPERIENCE LIKE THE ONE THAT KATHLEEN IS TALKING ABOUT, AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR SOMEONE TO REACH OUT TO A COUNSELOR?

ESPECIALLY WHO MAY BE WATCHING TONIGHT NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF THERAPY.

THEY MIGHT SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NORMAL.

STRESS.

I'LL JUST HAVE ANOTHER GLASS OF WINE TONIGHT.

DESTRESS.

WHATEVER THEIR COPING MECHANISM IS.

AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP AND IF THEY DO WANT TO TAKE THAT STEP, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY DO THAT?

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD TRUST THEIR GUT.

IF THEY'RE EVEN, IF EVEN CROSSES THEIR MIND, THERE'S NO HARM IN REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

NO HARM IN TRYING TO GET A SESSION OR TWO WITH SOMEONE AND KIND OF TALK THINGS OUT.

THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT IF YOU'RE ABLE TO TALK WITH NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY, THAT COME UP, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT OR MIGHT NOT THOUGHT WERE CONNECTED.

IT'S ALWAYS, I ALWAYS RECOMMEND TO TRY IT.

IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT.

IT CAN ONLY HELP.

IN TERMS OF HOW TO FIND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELOR, THAT'S REALLY DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW.

I FEEL SO BAD FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE I THINK A LOT, NOT A LOT OF AT LEAST PSYCHIATRISTS I KNOW ARE TAKING NEW PATIENTS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S VERY TOUGH.

SO I'M REALLY HOPING THAT THIS KICKS OFF MORE FUNDERRING FOR LIKE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS FOR CANDY, FOR THE STATE, JUST TO PROVIDE LIKE THESE CRISIS CENTERS AND CRISIS BEDS.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL PROVIDERS THERE'S NOT ENOUGH.

MORE FUNDING FOR MORE PSYCHIATRISTS IN THE FUTURE.

MORE SOCIAL WORKERS, MORE PSYCHOLOGISTS JUST IN GENERAL.

GOING TO NEED IT.

>>Yunji: VISITS LIKE THAT, IF YOU ABLE TO FIND A COUNSELOR, ARE VISITS LIKE THAT TYPICALLY COVERED BY MEDICAL INSURANCE.

>> MOST MEDICAL INSURANCE IN HAWAII.

PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT.

MOST ARE COVERING TELEHEALTH RIGHT NOW.

AWESOME.

I HOPE THAT GETS MAINTAINED AFTER THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY ANY MORE.

TELEHEALTH IS WAY TO GO.

PEOPLE LOVING IT.

LIKE IN THE OFFICE SETTINGS, A LOT OF MY PATIENTS ARE PREFERRING TELEHEALTH FOR CONVENIENCE.

HOPEFULLY INSURANCE WILL CONTINUE TO COVER IT.

>> IF I ADD SOMETHING, A LOT OF FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS CALL US AND SAY, HOW CAN I FIND A THERAPIST.

WE DO GIVE THEM SORT OF STRATEGIES TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIND A THERAPIST.

OFTENTIMES TOO, SOMEBODY WILL SAY, I TRIED THERAPY AND IT DIDN'T WORK.

I SAID, WELL, YOU CAN'T JUST STOP THERE.

THERE'S SO MANY OTHER OPTIONS.

YOU'VE GOT TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT.

SO KEEP TRYING.

AND THEN IN THE MEANTIME, WE PROVIDE SUPPORT.

WE PROVIDE CLASSES.

SO UNTIL, IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT THREE MONTHS OR SIX MONTHS FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT, CONNECT TO A GROUP.

CONNECT TO A SUPPORT GROUP.

>>Yunji: I WONDER IF YOU WOULD ANSWER THIS QUESTION FROM WAIANAE.

IT SAYS, ALCOHOL SALES HAVE SKYROCKETED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IS THIS A BAD SIGN FOR WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TONIGHT?

IS THE STATE DOING ANYTHING TO TRACK, SEE ANY KIND OF CROSSOVER THERE BETWEEN POTENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ISSUES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT?

>> YES.

I THINK THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT OBSERVATION THAT OUR WAIANAE FRIEND IS POINTING OUT.

PEOPLE ARE PERSONALLY SEEN IT.

YOU CAN HEAR IT IN YOUR FRIENDS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS.

PEOPLE ARE JUST NOTICING IT.

BUT YES, DATA IS BEING COLLECTED.

AND WE HAVE WHOLE ADMINISTRATION.

PART OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WITH ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

SO WE CAN HAVE MORE DATA DRIVEN DECISIONS.

BUT YES, IT'S CLEAR THAT'S GOING UP AND MAC SALAD PEOPLE TEND TO, THAT AS A WAY TO COPE.

OR USE THAT AS WAY TO KIND OF SELF MEDICATE.

WAY TO MAYBE PEOPLE ARE THINKING THAT WILL HELP THEM FEEL BETTER AT THE POINT.

YOU KNOW, AT THAT MOMENT.

BUT OF COURSE, IT JUST SNOWBALLS OFTEN.

THEN LEADS INTO ALL SORTS OF OTHER PROBLEMS.

SO I'M GLAD THAT THE PERSON BRINGING THAT UP.

IT'S A REAL CONCERN AND THERE IS TREATMENT.

TREATMENTS CENTERS AVAILABLE.

THERE AS KUMI MENTIONED SELF HELP GROUPS AVAILABLE.

BUT AGAIN, SOMETHING TO REACH OUT.

AND TRY TO GET SOME HELP, FAMILIES OFTEN DO SOME INTERVENTIONS TO TRY TO GET THE PERSON TO STOP OR GET SOME HELP.

MANY PEOPLE OF COURSE, WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON IT.

BUT THERE IS A WHOLE SEGMENT OF OUR POPULATIONS THAT DON'T WANT ANY HELP.

OR DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.

MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE UTES, MOST LIKELY MANY OF OUR FOLKS THAT IN OUR SYSTEM, HAVE BOTH.

CO OCCURRING DISORDER.

SO WHEN PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, EVEN MORE CHALLENGING.

I WOULD SAY THAT SUBSTANCE USE, I'M SURE YOU'RE SEEING IT INCREASING.

>>Yunji: PUT THE NUMBERS BACK ON THE SCREEN.

FOR RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE.

WHILE WE HAVE THOSE UP THERE, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT WHEN THEY CALL THOSE NUMBERS.

WHAT KIND OF HELP THEY CAN EXPECT ON THE OTHER END.

>> SO, THEY'RE GOING TO TALK TO SOMEBODY THAT CAN SCREEN ABOUT WHAT KIND OF SERVICE MIGHT BE HELPFUL.

AGAIN, IF YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR KU MAKANI, YOU CAN TALK TO A COUNSELOR ABOUT HOW COVID IS AFFECTING YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN GO TO KU MAKANI WEBSITE AND FIND OUT ALL KIND OF GROUPS THAT YOU COULD PERSONALLY SIGN UP TO JOIN THROUGH ZOOM.

OR IF YOU STAY ON THE LINE FOR HAWAII CARES, THEY COULD GIVE YOU RESOURCE TO SOME SORT OF TREATMENT CENTER TO SOME SORT OF OTHER RESOURCE.

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT HAWAII CARES I THINK IS IF YOU NEED A CRISIS MOBILE OUTREACH TEAM, ACTUALLY NEED PEOPLE TO COME TO YOUR HOME, OR SITE, TEAM WILL COME OUT AND PROVIDE SOME INTERVENTION.

AND HELP YOU GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

SO SOMETIMES, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY'RE CALLED, MAYBE THE PERSON NEEDS TO GO TO CRISIS STABILIZATION BED.

PLACE.

OR CRISIS CENTER.

MAYBE SOMEBODY DOES NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

YOU CAN CALL THEM FOR HELP TO COME OUT AND BE AT YOUR HOME.

TO HELP.

>>Yunji: WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COPING.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF WAYS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE, THAT YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU WORK WITH, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

HOW YOU'VE BEEN DESTRESSING WHAT KIND OF COPING MECHANISMS, WHAT KIND OF THINGS YOU'RE EMPLOYING THERE?

>> YES.

IN THE NOTICING A LOT OF THEM HAVE BUILT UP ENERGY FROM BEING INSIDE ALL DAY.

FROM DOING SCHOOL REMOTELY, THEY WANT TO BE OUTSIDE AND ENJOY.

LIVING IN THE MOMENT.

IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THEY'RE KIDS.

PLAYING SPORTS OR DOING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

>> ANOTHER ONE THAT I THINK VERY HELPFUL IS JOURNALING.

AS I SAID EARLIER A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH.

LEARNING HOW TO DIGEST THEIR EMOTION.

WRITING DOWN WHATEVER HAPPENS TO HELP, WHAT THEY MAY BE FEELING THAT DAY, ANYTHING THAT THEY SAW, IT CAN EVEN BE POSITIVE THINGS TOO.

JUST WRITING IT DOWN OR PUTTING IT OUT SOMEWHERE, WHETHER IT MAY BE ON PAPER, OAR SPEAK TO GO SOMEONE ABOUT IT.

VERY HELPFUL FOR THE YOUTH.

>>Keahi: THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE USEFUL AT ANY AGE.

COMMENT HERE SAYING THAT ASKING FOR HELP OR EVEN ASKING SOMEONE THIS IF THIS NEED HELP, COMES DOWN TO TRUST, FRIENDSHIP AND OHANA.

THIS IS A TIME WE NEED EACH OTHER.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT.

BECAUSE FOR SO LONG, WE'VE BEEN TOLD TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE.

STAY AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER.

NOW STARTING REEMERGE AND BE WITH ONE ANOTHER.

HOW DO WITH WE RE ESTABLISH TRUST IN RELATIONSHIPS MY OWN LIFE, INVITED TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY FIRST TIME IN A YEAR.

IT WAS A SURPRISE.

DO WE GO ON THE GO THE BIRTHDAY PARTY?

HOW WE DO IT SAFELY?

IS IT RUDE IF I DON'T GO?

HEY, I NOTICE YOU MIGHT NEED SOME HELP.

>> JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS IN OUR STAFF MEETING.

ONE OF MY STAFF SAID I'M SO ANXIOUS BECAUSE I HAD TO TAKE MY TO THE VET.

SAW TV SHOW, COUNSELOR WAS SAYING THINK OF THE GRIZZLY BEAR COMING OUT OF THE HYBERNATION GRIZZLY BEAR DOESN'T JUST COME OUT.

THEY PEEK OUT, SOMETIMES GO BACK TO SLEEP.

MIGHT TAKE A NIBBLE OF PLANT.

GO BACK.

MIGHT EXPLORE A LITTLE BIT MORE A LITTLE AT A TIME.

GIVING YOURSELF SOME GRACE.

IT'S THE PANDEMIC IN REVERSE.

WE HAD TO LEARN TO ADJUST TO BE STUCK AT HOME.

GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME AND GRACE TO, JUST TELL YOUR FRIEND I'M NOT QUITE READY.

I'VE SAID THAT.

I'VE SAID I'M NOT QUITE READY.

PEOPLE SAID, THAT'S OKAY.

>> UNDERSTAND.

I THINK THAT IS THE HAWAII COMMUNITY.

IT'S THE ALOHA THAT WE HAVE HERE.

THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY GRACIOUS.

THE OKAY TO BE HONEST.

I THINK.

>>Yunji: LET'S WALK THROUGH A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT WITH YOU.

HOW WE REEMERGE AND I LIKE THAT HYBERNATION ANALOGY.

TELLING WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW, RE ESTABLISHING THESE CONNECTIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I LOVE THAT EXAMPLE.

THAT WAS GREAT.

COMING OUT OF HIBERNATION.

CHECKING IN WITH YOURSELF.

A LOT OF PATIENTS I WORK WITH HAVE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION BEEN IN THEIR HEAD FOR A YEAR.

IN THEIR HEAD, JUST LOTS OF TIME ALONE FOR THE THOUGHTS TO GO EVERYWHERE.

SO NOW, KIND OF, IT'S THE STAGE OF CHECKING IN WITH YOURSELF AND GETTING THOSE THOUGHT AS A LITTLE BIT MORE FOCUSED AND ROUNDED.

FIGURING OUT WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU.

IS IT, THERE'S A BUNCH OF PATIENTS THAT I HAVE INTROVERTS LOVED, ACTUALLY LOVED THE YEAR IN ISOLATION.

THERE'S THE OTHER EXTREME EXTROVERTS REALLY MISSED IT.

ANY OTHERS PEOPLE WHO HAVE REALLY MISSED THE CONNECTION, IT'S OKAY.

DO I WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MEET ONE FRIENDS OR FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET ACTIVITIES THAT I MISSED OUT ON.

BUT JUST REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO YOURSELF.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL LEARN COMING OUT OF THIS.

BY BEING MORE IN TUNE WITH OURSELVES.

>> IDEA OF HIBERNATION.

I LOVE THAT.

I THINK I'M GOING TO USE THAT.

THAT'S GREAT.

>>Yunji: SHAWN ON FACEBOOK.

QUESTION.

I WANT TO STICK WITH YOU ON THIS DOCTOR.

ANY SIGNS WE SHOULD LOOK FOR IN YOUNG CHILDREN THAT THEY HAVE STRUGGLING?

HOW CAN WE TELL IN PARTICULARLY, LITTLE KIDS IN?

ABSOLUTELY.

CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE THING.

PARENTS KNOW THEIR KIDS THE BEST.

SO IF THEY NOTICE ANY SORT CHANGE, A LOT OF TIMES FOR KIDS GOING TO BE AGGRESSION OR IRRITABILITY.

DEPRESSED, NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO LOOK MELANCHOLIC.

IRRITABLE.

ACTING OUT, MAYBE AGGRESSIVE.

MAYBE TANTRUMMING MORE THAN USUAL IF WE'RE TALKING AGE 7 AND UNDER.

FOR LITTLE BIT OLDER THAN THAT, MAYBE BETWEENS, COULD ALSO BE MORE SASSINESS, MORE ATTITUDE.

MORE NOT LISTENING.

WHICH IS CONFUSING AND BECAUSE IT'S LIKE, SORT OF TEENAGE STUFF.

BUT THEN IT'S MORE INTENSE.

BUT I THINK THE PARENT TRUSTING THEIR GUT, THEY KNOW.

THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS OFF.

AND THEN AT THAT POINT, JUST ASKING FOR HELP OR TALKING TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT.

>>Yunji: HOW DO WE NAVIGATE THAT?

I HAVE A TWO YEAR AND FOUR YEAR OLD.

IF I WERE TO NOTICE SOMETHING IN THEM, SEEMED UNUSUAL.

TANTRUM COUNT.

NOT GOING TO WORK IN MY HOUSE.

I WILL SAY THAT THERE ARE PARENTS KNOW THEIR KIDS.

MAYBE THEY DO NOTICE SOMETHING IS OFF.

HOW DO WE GET INTO TOUCH WITH A MENTAL HEALTH, WHAT ARE THE STEPS THAT A PARENT SHOULD TAKE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, WE MIGHT KNOW THAT'S APPROPRIATE FOR US TO SEEK COUNSELOR.

BUT HOW DO WE KNOW IT'S THE RIGHT TIME TO SEEK A COUNSELOR FOR A CHILD?

>> IF YOU'RE NOTICING SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THAT'S THE TIME.

IT'S BETTER TO JUST TRY TO, IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY CALL JUST MAYBE CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE, SEE WHO IS TAKING PATIENTS OR LOOK ONLINE.

CALL SOMEONE.

JUST TRY TO GET AN APPOINTMENT.

THERE'S NO RIGHT OR WRONG ABOUT THAT.

I THINK AS SOON AS YOU NOTICE SOMETHING, JUST TRY TO GET SOME HELP.

YOU CAN EVEN ASK YOUR PEDIATRICIAN IF THE PEDIATRICIAN MOWS OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW THE CHILD REALLY WELL, THEY MIGHT HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR YOU.

>>Yunji: I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO WEIGH IN ON THIS.

I KNOW THAT PART OF WHAT YOU DO IS TO HELP THE WHOLE FAMILY.

>> YES.

SO WE USUALLY RECOMMEND THAT HE SEE THEIR PEDIATRICIAN BECAUSE FIRST OFF, SOMETIMES IT'S DEVELOPMENTAL.

OR SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES.

AND SO JUST RULE THAT OUT.

IF THEY CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH A THERAPIST OR PSYCHIATRIST RIGHT WAY, PEDIATRICIAN SOMETIMES IS ABLE TO DO YOU COULD CLARIFY LITTLE BIT MORE.

MIGHT BE ABLE TO PRESCRIBE CERTAIN THINGS OR SUGGEST CERTAIN THINGS.

STRATEGIES.

OR THEY MIGHT HAVE COLLEAGUE OR ANOTHER DOCTOR FRIEND THAT SAYS, THERE'S A FRIEND TAKING NEW PATIENTS.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO CHECK IN WITH OUR PEDIATRICIAN.

OR CONTACT US.

WE KIND OF KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO TAKE NEW PATIENTS.

AND THE OTHER OPTION IS WE LOVE PSYCHIATRIST.

NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE ALWAYS GREAT.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET THEM TO SEE PSYCHIATRISTS VERY QUICKLY.

BUT MAYBE NURSE PRACTITIONERS PRESCRIBING AUTHORITY, MIGHT BE ABLE TO TREAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

OR EVEN SOME OF THESE WALK IN CLINIC, HAVE SLIDING SCALES ARE ABLE TO TAKE APPOINTMENTS MORE FREQUENTLY.

AROUND YOU KNOW, EARLIER.

>>Yunji: LINDA HAS A COMMENT HERE.

SINCERE MAHALO TO THE PANEL FOR SERVICE AND WORK HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

>> SUCH AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

WE DO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

ANOTHER COMMENT HERE WHO KATHLEEN, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE THIS ONE.

DO YOU SEE INDICATORS INCREASING STIGMA OF HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL WELLNESS, ANY INSIGHT HOW TO HELP FURTHER DECREASE CULTURAL STIGMA ABOUT DISCUSSING MENTAL WELLNESS.

HOW ARE THESE DISCUSSIONS EVOLVING OVER TIME?

>> I'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND PBS SAYING, YOU KNOW, LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION.

LET'S DISCUSS IT.

THIS MAY, MAY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND THERE'S BEEN SOME EFFORT, I THINK, ANY TIME THERE'S PUBLICITY AND NEWSPAPER, WHETHER IT'S TWEETING, OR ALL OF THESE NEW SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS SOME OF US HAVE TRIED TO GET BETTER AT, MENTAL HEALTH, I THINK THAT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE INDECREASING STIGMA.

I THINK CULTURALLY, ESPECIALLY HAWAII.

SO DIVERSE HERE.

ALWAYS FACED WITH KIND OF HOW WE'RE ABRUPT AND WHAT OUR VALUES ARE AROUND HOW WE TALK ABOUT THIS.

IT IS NOT POPULAR.

TO SAY, YES, I HAVE DIAGNOSIS.

I'M LIVING WITH BIPOLAR.

ON THIS MEDICATION.

THAT MEDICATION.

NOT EVER GOING TO BE PROBABLY JUST OKAY TO DO THAT BUT I THINK IT'S EASIER AND I THINK PEOPLE GET MORE CONFIDENT IN RECOGNIZING THAT THE BASICALLY, IT'S MORE ACCEPTABLE TO DO.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE OKAY IF TO YOU IT.

THERE WILL NOT BE MAJORDISCRIMINATORY ACTION AGAINST YOU.

NOT BE HORRIBLE CONSEQUENCE.

THAT TAKES A LOT OF TIME FOR ONE TO BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE WITH KIND OF COMING OUT.

ABOUT I'VE EITHER SOUGHT HELP OR HAVE A DIAGNOSIS.

WHATEVER THE BRINGING, UPBRINGING IS, CULTURALLY, AND KIND OF IN OUR WORLD TODAY, TO DO THAT, I REALLY AM GRATEFUL WHEN PEOPLE DO THAT.

BECAUSE IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I'VE SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES AND I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE OKAY WITH THAT.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE SHOW FOR ALLOWING ME KIND OF PLATFORM FOR THAT.

I DO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE DO THAT.

DEFINITELY, IT'S HARD TO DO.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS LIKE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE ON THIS ISSUE?

>> MAIN THING I'VE BEEN NOTICING IS RELATABILITY.

IF SOMEONE JUMPS STARTS THE CONVERSATION, THAT'S YOUR STARTER.

NOWADAYS ESPECIALLY, BECOMING A LOT MORE NORMALIZED.

MORE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS OR IF THEY'RE FEELING ANY TRAUMA COMING UP FROM THEIR PAST, SO RELATABILITY BIGGEST THING BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

WITH THAT PANDEMIC A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO REACH ONE ANOTHER, STRUGGLED WITH UNEMPLOYMENT OR STRUGGLING WITH FAMILY LIFE.

BRINGS US TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

AND THAT IS BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR.

DOING THIS TOGETHER.

>>Yunji: KRISTINE FROM KIHEI SAYS, IS IT POSSIBLE TO SUFFER FROM NARCOLEPSY AS A RESULT OF ALL OF STRESS WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW?

MAY WHAT KIND OF PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS TO WE SEE?

HOW DO WE SEE STRESS MANIFEST IN OUR BODY.

>> IT CAN MANIFEST IN ANY BODY SYSTEM.

NOTICE IT IN YOUR GUT, NOTICE IT IN THE WAY YOUR HEART BEATS.

NOTICE IT IN HOW YOU SLEEP.

ALL OF THESE PHYSICAL WAYS.

NARCOLEPSY IN PARTICULAR, I THINK IT CAN BE WORSENED BY STRESS.

IF THERE IS STRESS MANIFESTING, MAYBE THERE'S GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TO IT.

NOT SURE IF IT CAN DIRECTLY IMMEDIATELY BE CAUSED BY STRESS.

I THINK YOU HAVE HAVE TO HAVE AN UNDERLYING PREDISPOSITION TO IT.

CERTAINLY, IT MANIFEST LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

SOME PATIENTS THINK THEY HAVE SKIN RASHES.

DEFINITELY DIFFERENT KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH SLEEP.

GUT ISSUES.

ALL OF THESE KIND OF THINGS.

>>Yunji: HOW DO WE KNOW IF THAT IS, IS THAT SOMETHING PURELY PHYSICAL?

I KNOW ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE RELATED, HOW DO WE DRILL DOWN, THIS IS STRESS BY THE PANDEMIC AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING THIS HAPPENING WITH MY BODY PHYSICALLY?

>> IF I'M SEEING A PATIENT AND TELLING ME ABOUT PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS, WE KIND OF GO THROUGH SORT ON SET AND TIMING.

WE TRY TO LOOK AT WHEN DID THE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS START?

FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE ONE PATIENT WHO HAS THESE EPISODES WHERE SHE PASS OUT.

IT CAN BE DIRECTLY LINKED TO ANXIETY AND STRESS.

SOME OF THE TRAUMA SHE'S HAD.

BUT I STILL LIKE TO SAY, LET'S GO, HAVE YOU GO TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR AND JUST MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE GOING ON.

BUT THE THING I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE, IT'S STILL PHYSICAL.

EVEN IF IT'S ANXIETY, EVEN IF IT'S DEPRESSION, IT'S IN YOUR BRAIN.

STILL PHYSICAL.

THERE'S STILL SOMETHING PHYSICAL HAPPENING.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS DIFFERENT SYSTEM THAT I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN.

THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT THAT.

>>Yunji: WE ONLY HAVE FIVE MINUTES LEFT.

TIME GOES SO FAST I WANT TO GET TO EACH OF YOU.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT IS HELPED YOU PERSONALLY OR THAT YOU'VE SEEN SUCCESS WITH IN COPING WITH THE PANDEMIC.

WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> DINNER WITH MY FAMILY EVERY NIGHT FOR SURE.

THAT IS THE GROUNDING TECHNIQUE.

WOULDN'T MISS IT.

>>Yunji: OKAY.

KATHLEEN, HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I THINK STRIVING FOR BALANCE REALLY FOCUS, BEING MINDFUL ABOUT HAVING BALANCE.

THAT'S BEEN VERY SIGNIFICANT FOR ME.

DURING THIS.

THANK YOU.

>>Yunji: TAVIA WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S HELPED YOU GET THROUGH THIS LAST YEAR?

COLLEGE FRESHMAN, DOING THIS REMOTELY AND THEN HELPING TO SUPPORT OTHERS, IT'S CERTAINLY A LOT.

>> YEAH.

BIGGEST THING IS PURPOSEFULLY SETTING TIME FOR YOURSELF EACH DAY.

>> FIVE OR TEN MINUTES, NEED THAT TIME TO INTROSPECTIVELY LOOK AT YOURSELF AND ANALYZE.

AM I DOING OKAY TODAY.

ANYTHING I COULD DO TOMORROW TO HELP ME FEEL BETTER?

SETTING TIME FOR YOURSELF IS BIGGEST THING.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I WOULD SAY BOUNDARIES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A CAREGIVER.

I'VE HAD TO SAY, I'M SORRY MOM AND DAD.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EAT DINNER ON YOUR OWN BECAUSE I'M GOING TO GO FOR A SWIM.

I'M GOING TO GO OUT FOR A WALK.

IT IS JUST SO CHALLENGING.

WORKING AND TAKE CARE OF A FAMILY.

>>Yunji: IT IS.

I WANT TO THROW UP THOSE NUMBERS TO FOR FOLKS TO CALL JUST ONE MORE TIME TONIGHT.

KATHLEEN, WE CAN AS WE PUT UP THOSE NUMBERS, WE'LL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD.

IF YOU COULD JUST SPEAK TO THE STRENGTH THAT IT TAKES TO A ASK FOR HELP, ASK FOR HELP ON BEHALF OF YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

SO IT IS NOT A WEAKNESS.

PLEASE ASK FOR HELP.

PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU HAVE A NEED AND FOR YOURSELF OR SOMEBODY ELSE.

ASK FOR HELP.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

RESOURCES FOR YOU AND WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

>>Yunji: OKAY.

>> PLEASE MAKE THAT CALL.

>>Yunji: WE WANT TO READ THOSE NUMBERS FOR YOU.

IF WE COULD.

THEY WENT AWAY.

THERE THEY ARE.

ON OAHU, THAT IS 832 3100.

ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS, 1800 NUMBER 753 6879.

THEY'RE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK.

AND WE DO HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES.

IT'S TIME.

SO DOCTOR, I KNOW THAT YOU SAID THAT IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONNECT WITH A COUNSELOR.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE THAT CALL, AND YOU ARE ABLE TO GET THROUGH, IT IS SOMEWHAT OF AN INTERVIEW PROCESS IF YOU WILL, WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ASKING A PROVIDER?

>> SO YOU SHOULD BE, WHEN YOU GO IN TO TALK TO SOMEONE OR VIA TELEMED, KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

THERE ARE, SO FOR EXAMPLE, PSYCHIATRIST.

SOME PSYCHIATRISTS FOCUS MAINLY ON MEDICATION.

JUST MEDICATION TREATMENT.

BUT I LOVE DO TALK THERAPY AND MEDICINE.

SO KIND OF KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TALK THERAPY, KNOW KIND OF TALK THERAPY MAYBE DO SOME RESEARCH, WHAT YOU WANT.

SO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GO IN TO TALK TO THE PERSON, THAT'S A GOOD FIT.

>>Yunji: OKAY.

WONDERFUL.

AND KUMI, GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD TONIGHT.

YOU TALKED ABOUT TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY, PARENTS, ALSO FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF?

YOU SAID THAT SETTING BOUNDARIES, SO IMPORTANT.

>> YES.

SO IF YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF ANYBODY ELSE.

SO YOU GOT PUT ON THE OXYGEN MASK FIRST, THEN PUT IT ON YOUR FAMILY.

REALLY IS REALLY FINETUNED FOR ME SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

SOMETHING I'VE REALLY REALLY EMBRACED.

>>Yunji: WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR INSIGHTS TONIGHT.

YOU ALL WERE WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING SO CANDIDLY.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

WE WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS TONIGHT, KATHLEEN MERRIAM, TEAM LEADER FOR THE KU MAKANI HAWAII RESILIENCY PROJECT, KUMI MACDONALD FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS, PSYCIATRIST, DR. SONIA PATEL, AND COLLEGE FRESHMAN TAVIA RAPOZO.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, THEY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CANDOR AND SPEAKING SO OPENLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, THEY ARE SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN SOCIETY, AT RISK YOUTH.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE PANDEMIC HAS PUT ADDED STRAIN ON PROGRAMS AIMED AT HELPING OUR KEIKI.

WE’LL CHECK IN WITH SOME OF THEM.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

IF YOU ARE OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS RIGHT NOW OR JUST NEEDS SOMEONE TO TALK TO, PLEASE DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES WE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT.

I’M YUNJI DENIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I, ALOHA!

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.