Hawai‘i CARES: Compassion on call 24/7

We are all facing circumstances we never dreamed of a year ago. When Hawai‘i and much of the world went into lockdown last March 2020, most of us thought it would be short-lived and things would get back to normal in a few weeks—or months at most.

More than a year later we’ve become accustomed to the “new normal” but that doesnʻt mean it’s easy. The pandemic has impacted our health, our income, our homes and schools and our relationships. Not surprisingly, the cumulative stress has impacted our collective mental health, with many more residents reporting symptoms such as anxiety, depression and feeling overwhelmed.

A new series of public service announcements produced by the Hawaii Department of Health and Hawai‘i CARES dramatically illustrates this day-to-day struggle. “These are the stories of real people who call Hawai’i CARES daily – individuals struggling with addiction, financial burdens, facing eviction, unemployment, desperation to provide the basics such as food and shelter for their family. This is our reality,” says Dr. Dayna Schultz, Psy.D., LSW, CSAC, Call Center Supervisor for Hawai‘i CARES.

The purpose of these PSAs is not just to remind us that times are tough, but to offer some light at the end of the tunnel. This light comes in the form of assistance from Hawai‘i CARES. “Our qualified call staff are trained to offer a listening ear and compassion during this time. We listen to what each caller wants to discuss and strive to offer the best solutions. If an individual is hesitant to call Hawaii CARES, remember we are here to listen and we are here to support,” assures Dr. Schultz.

Hawai‘i CARES is a partnership between the Hawai‘i Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration and the University of Hawai‘i School of Social Work. It further partners with government, private and non-profit providers across the state who offer behavioral health care and related services.

The Hawai‘i CARES hotline is a connecting hub designed to link residents of all ages to the services they need. The hotline serves as a one-stop shop to help callers access a statewide network of resources, including food assistance, housing, unemployment and homelessness services, legal assistance, substance use treatment, mental health programs and COVID-specific help with testing, quarantine and isolation. The hotline is staffed by trained counselors who listen, screen, refer and follow up.

In June—just before the second wave of COVID-19 cases and during a time of extreme economic stress—Hawai‘i CARES had its highest ever call volume. In September—after Hawaiʻi CARES started taking isolation and quarantine calls—demand increased even more to a peak of 11,000 calls per month. Hawai‘i residents continue to reach out with calls exceeding 7,500 last month.

So if you need help, know you are not alone.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has overall increased the awareness of mental and behavioral health,” explains Dr. Schultz. “Now that folks have to face these issues, folks are more open to having the conversation about how to address mental and behavioral health and that’s what Hawaii CARES is for.”

Whether you need a good listener, crisis intervention, or comprehensive treatment, contact the Hawai‘i CARES hotline 24/7:

Oahu: 808.832.3100
Toll free: 1.800.753.6879
Text: ALOHA to 741741
Email: hicares@hawaii.edu
Learn more: hicares.hawaii.edu

Donʻt hesitate…compassionate help is just a phone call away!

View Hawai‘i CARES PSAs.