Soroptimist International of Waikīkī Foundation, Inc.
Soroptimist International of Waikīkī Foundation, Inc.

Holiday Season

In October we welcomed Bryan Talisayan, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, to speak to us about the impact of the past few years on mental health.

 

Women were disproportionately affected by the pandemic due to suddenly increased childcare responsibilities, simultaneously getting the kids through virtual school while working from home, as well as financial problems and loneliness from isolation.

 

Linked to directly or indirectly traumatic events, such as Black Lives Matter in 2020, insurrection and civil disorder in 2021, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Russian invasion in 2022, the Maui wildfires in 2023, and Free Palestine in 2024, there has been a drastic increase especially in youth (ages 10-24) mental health screenings that came back positive for depression and anxiety – up to 85% in 2023.

 

According to 2018-2022 data from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, suicide was the #1 cause of fatal injuries (not including suicide attempts) in Hawaiʻi for resident age groups 15-29 and 30-44, #2 for ages 45-59 and 60-74, and #3 for 75+, more than falls, drowning, motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, and homicide. The other top spot was claimed by poisoning (unintentional), which includes suspected overdoses.

 

In 2021, 26.9% of middle school students in Hawaiʻi considered suicide, 20.3% actually had a plan, and 10.5% went through with an attempt. What can we do about these distressing statistics?

 

First of all, when I look at our own members, I do see us working to ensure our community has access to medical care, has access to safe and stable housing, has access to engaging afterschool programs, and feels connected to each other and involved in the community.

 

There are many risk factors to be aware of, such as lack of parental supervision, academic problems, poverty, peer rejection, adverse childhood experiences, and one in particular which again disproportionately affects girls: lack of self-confidence.


Through our programs we cultivate protective factors such as resilience, self-care, hope & meaning, goals, healthy diet & exercise, and access to support.

 

In this day and age, we cannot seem to discuss mental health without any mention of social media. What with constant awareness of intimate details of strangers’ lives, news of celebrity deaths can impact impressionable youth more than we would think and even disastrously glamorize death by suicide.

 

While we have begun to recognize the dangers of cyberbullying and false information, in some cases social media could be one’s only method of healthy connection.


You might never know what someone’s connection to you might mean to them, that could help them feel better or give their life meaning.

While the holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer, we also acknowledge those who are struggling with mental health, grieving, or having a difficult time. We adopted two families again this year through the Salvation Army.

 

One family of four is reliant upon the mother, as her husband is a former police officer on disability. She is a giving person even when she doesn’t have anything to give, never complains, and always says “we’ll get by”. Their children are very helpful to their mom in taking care of their dad.

 

Our other family is a widow whose husband passed last December so this is her first holiday season without him.

 

Thank you Captain Raghel Santiago for again helping us come up with personalized gift ideas without giving away the surprise.

 

Warm wintery wishes to all and may the beauty of the season surround you.

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