Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.  

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. 

Mental illnesses are disorders, ranging from mild to severe, that affect a person’s thinking, mood, and/or behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one-in-five adults live with a mental illness. 

Many factors contribute to mental health conditions, including: 

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry.
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse.
• Family history of mental health problems.

Learn more about mental health conditions from our partner, SAMHSA. 

How We Help: Mental & Emotional Help

• We connect with crisis services through CARE Hawaiʻi.
• If it’s helpful to your situation, we have a local crisis therapist who can be sent out to you through the Crisis Mobile Outreach program.
• We provide screening and referral for mental health services.
• For callers who are not in crisis and just need to talk to someone, we can provide support and resources.
• If requested, we are also able to connect callers to a warm-line located on the continental U.S.

If you have a number that is outside the (808) area code and wish to be connected with a Hawai‘i CARES 988 local crisis counselor, please use our direct number. (808-832-3100) or toll-free (800-753-6879).