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<br />Substance Use and Mental Health <br />Submi?ed by Zahava Z. Zaidoff <br /> <br />Area of concern: Substance Use and Mental Health preven?on and treatment availability in <br />Hawaii County <br /> <br />Substance Use disorders and Mental illnesses are diseases. They are all listed in the DSM-V and <br />can be treated successfully with the right medical care. <br /> <br />Many districts in the county have care available, but the more rural districts suffer from lack of <br />access to qualified substance use and mental health professionals. <br /> <br />Residen?al treatment for minors is not available in the county. Group therapy in person is not <br />available for minors. <br /> <br />There is Zoom availability throughout the state and county, but internet access is not available <br />to many who need the services. <br /> <br />Residen?al treatment for female iden?fying people who are on MedQuest is not available in the <br />county. <br /> <br />Residen?al treatment that allows for children to be with their parents and caregivers is not <br />available in the county. <br /> <br />Having licensed mental health and substance abuse providers go on calls with our police will <br />greatly benefit those who are living with mental health and substance use disabili?es. More <br />training is needed for our officers. There is program in San Diego that has been in use for over a <br />decade called PERT (Psychiatric Emergency Response Team), that may offer a helpful guide. <br /> <br />Drug court is a huge success and mental health court would prove to be successful as well. It is <br />necessary, and we hope it is forthcoming. <br /> <br />Our Mahu (LGBTQIA+) community members face greater obstacles receiving services. <br />Professionals who have gender affirming training are rare. For gender non-conforming people, <br />treatment beds are impossible to come by due to them or being male or female. <br /> <br />Preven?on is ge?ng be?er. Narcan is more easily available and trainings island wide have been <br />taking place. <br /> <br />Psychotropic medica?ons are being prescribed by primary care physicians in collabora?on with <br />psychologists, when a psychiatrist is unavailable. <br /> <br />More publicity and visibility around the Clubhouses is necessary. More publicity and availability <br />around NAMI is needed. <br /> <br />