Bill Text: HI SR113 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Resolution 113 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Urging The Department Of Health To Support Developing Additional Mental Wellness Facilities For Children, Adolescents, And Young Adults, In Addition To Improving The Overall Continuum Of Their Mental Health Care, As Identified In The Recent United States Surgeon General's Advisory.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-16 - Referred to HTH/HMS. [SR113 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SR113-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	113
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the Department of Health to support developing additional mental wellness facilities for children, adolescents, and young adults, in addition to improving the overall continuum of their mental health care, as identified in the recent UNITED STATES Surgeon General's advisory.

WHEREAS, there are only two inpatient psychiatric medical facilities in the State to care for children, adolescents, and young adults with serious mental health needs; and

WHEREAS, these two inpatient units are on Oahu at The Queen's Medical Center and Kahi Mohala Hospital and have limited designated bed space for children, adolescents, and young adults; and

WHEREAS, the urgent, disturbing need for additional psychiatric beds is routinely experienced by families waiting in an emergency room for hours and sometimes days with a child who is "imminently dangerous to self and others"; and

WHEREAS, although hospital beds are greatly needed, improvement of the overall continuum of care is essential for any hope of reaching and assisting the State's vulnerable populations; and

WHEREAS, the behavioral, mental health care, and treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults are distinct from those of adults, requiring specialized, well-documented, and effective approaches, plans, and treatment facilities; and

WHEREAS, helping a child includes helping the nuclear and extended family, and the entire ohana, since family members impact each other in both positive and negative ways, support each other, and benefit from the improved health of those around them; and

WHEREAS, long-term, ongoing mental health problems have challenged every facet of our country and society, having touched nearly every person and resulting in generational impacts, and the situation is only getting worse; and

WHEREAS, significant treatment and equally important preventative measures should be implemented immediately, as they require long-term and steadfast commitment for success; and

WHEREAS, the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory on December 7, 2021, entitled Protecting Youth Mental Health, calling on the nation to respond to the growing mental health crisis impacting young people that has worsened with the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the United States Surgeon General requested the following actions be taken by federal, state, and local governments:

(1) Address the economic and social barriers that contribute to poor mental health for young people, families, and caregivers;

(2) Ensure safe experiences online for children and young people;

(3) Ensure all children and youth have comprehensive and affordable coverage for mental health care;

(4) Support integration of screening and treatment into primary care;

(5) Provide resources and technical assistance to strengthen school-based mental health programs;

(6) Invest in prevention programs, such as evidence-based social and emotional learning;

(7) Expand the use of telehealth for mental challenges;

(8) Expand and support the mental health workforce;

(9) Expand and strengthen suicide prevention and mental health crisis services;

(10) Improve coordination across all levels of government to address youth mental health needs;

(11) Support continued reduction in basis, discrimination, and stigma related to mental health;

(12) Support the mental health needs of youth involved in the juvenile justice system; and

(13) Support the mental health needs of youth involved in the child welfare system; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health should make every effort to support the Surgeon General's action items; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawai�i System and their professional schools and departments, including Law, Medicine, Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Medical Anthropology, and Pharmacy may continue their overall efforts and enhance their workforce preparation programs; and

WHEREAS, more research is required to identify and further investigate the very complex area of acquiring and maintaining overall superior health, focusing on children, adolescents, and young adults; and

WHEREAS, when immediate needs are met and appropriate plans are identified, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands may be in a position to support setting aside property to build a unique treatment facility for children, adolescents, and young adults; and

WHEREAS, property provided by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for treatment facilities will have a positive impact on the general public as they help meet the needs in caring for children, adolescents, and young adults; and

WHEREAS, lease of land for treatment facilities may be an income generating opportunity for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands leading towards less reliance from the State; and

WHEREAS, this effort will support the passionate belief that it takes the community to successfully build a strong future for children, adolescents, and young adults in the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Department of Health is urged to support developing additional mental wellness facilities for children, adolescents, and young adults, in addition to improving the overall continuum of their mental health care, as identified in the December 7, 2021, United States Surgeon General's advisory; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the United States Surgeon General, Governor, Director of Health, President of the University of Hawai�i System, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and mayor of each county.