The University of Hawai'i at Hilo is expanding its mental health counseling program in Fall 2024 in an effort to address the increasing demand for mental health services in the County of Hawai'i. Thanks to funding from the Hawai'i Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and the Hawai'i County Mayor's Office, students will have the opportunity to participate in the newly introduced "Certified Substance Abuse Counselor" (CSAC) specialization.
Dr. Bryan Kim, a professor in the program at UH Hilo, highlighted the importance of the CSAC concentration, emphasizing that it provides training to address both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues, which is crucial in Hawaii where these challenges have strained the mental health system.
Dr. Charmaine Higa-McMillan, director of the program, explained that the demand for mental health services in the County has increased significantly due to the opioid abuse epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Institutes of Health, 50% of Americans in 2021 reported having anxiety or depressive symptoms, and 10% stated that their mental health needs were not being met.
The Master of Arts Program in Counseling Psychology at UH Hilo, which was founded in 2005, offers a multicultural approach to training with a focus on clinical mental health counseling. The curriculum aligns with the licensure requirements for Mental Health Counselors in Hawai'i and is the only program of its kind within the University of Hawai'i System. The program is nationally accredited and accessible to students across the state through distance education technology. With a graduation rate of 90 percent, the program has successfully produced over 200 qualified mental health counselors.
Program alumni from the UH Hilo mental health counseling program are employed in diverse mental health settings across the state, including schools, the Departments of Education and Health, and non-profit organizations. The program aims to play a crucial role in addressing the increasing mental health and substance abuse challenges in Hawai'i.
"We are excited about our partnership with ADAD and the Mayor's Office that will enable us to bring real and tangible benefits to our communities," said Dr. Higa-McMillan.