STAND. COM. REP. NO. 435
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 905 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE COUNCIL ON MENTAL HEALTH,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure that the Hawaii State Council on Mental Health includes a member or members who have a background in native Hawaiian cultural concepts or practices relating to mental health.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawai‘i Psychological Association, and two individuals.
Your Committees
find that native Hawaiians experience mental health disparities that require
culturally responsive solutions. Native Hawaiian keiki
are over-represented as victims of abuse and neglect, and native Hawaiian youth
experience higher rates of depression and drug use. Native Hawaiians are also less likely than
other populations to seek help from the State's mental health services. Culturally sensitive treatment programs that
are grounded in native Hawaiian healing and health practices have proven to be
more successful when congruent with the client's values and beliefs. Requiring the Council to include members
having educational, professional, or practical backgrounds in native Hawaiian
and indigenous health, transgenerational trauma, and traditional healing
practices will help the State advance and develop culturally responsive
policies and programs. Members that are
trained in either Western or traditional knowledge or possess work experience
involving native Hawaiian concepts of well-being, culturally grounded mental
health methodologies, or traditional healing or health practices will allow for
a unique understanding of native Hawaiians struggling with mental health
challenges. These additions will assist
the Council to ensure greater and more consistent opportunities for native
Hawaiians and others to participate in culturally grounded programs and
services that can foster positive mental health outcomes far more effectively than
purely Western approaches.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 905 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Health,
|
________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair |
|
________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair |
|
|
|
|