HI
Hawaii Senate Bill SB263

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB263

Introduced
1/19/23  

Caption

Relating To The State Council On Mental Health.

Impact

The key provisions of SB263 require that the State Council on Mental Health has a representation of individuals knowledgeable about native Hawaiian healing practices and methodologies. This change aims to forge a more inclusive mental health support system that aligns with the values and cultural beliefs of native Hawaiians, thereby potentially improving service usage amongst this demographic. By mandating annual training for council members focused on native Hawaiian healing and health, the bill also seeks to enhance cultural competence within the council, which could lead to more effective advocacy and resource allocation.

Summary

SB263 aims to address the mental health disparities experienced by native Hawaiians in Hawaii by revising the composition and training requirements of the State Council on Mental Health. The bill recognizes alarming statistics regarding youth suicide rates among native Hawaiians and identifies cultural incongruence with Western approaches to mental health services as a barrier that has led to underutilization of these services within the community. The insights highlight the necessity for culturally grounded mental health programs, as they have been shown to be significantly more effective in addressing the needs of native Hawaiians.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its potential to improve mental health outcomes for native Hawaiians, it also raises concerns about the exact representation needed on the council and how effectively these changes can be implemented. Critics may question whether the training provided will adequately prepare council members to handle the specific needs of the community or if it will simply serve as a symbolic gesture. Furthermore, the exact number of required culturally knowledgeable representatives on the council remains unspecified, which may lead to debates on the effectiveness of its implementation.

Latest SB263 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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