DOE offers mental health resource for families

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaii State Department of Education is offering a new mental health resource for students, families and staff.

Parents can now get free access to ParentGuidance.org, an online platform available 24/7 that includes one-on-one parent coaching, virtual seminars led by licensed therapists and an interactive “Ask a Therapist” forum.

The initiative is a partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection and aims to address the increasing mental health needs within the community, especially given the rising rates of mental health concerns among youth.

Child and adolescent healthcare professionals are treating youth with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness and suicidality that will have lasting impacts on themselves, their families and their communities, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Annie Kalama, assistant superintendent of the DOE Office of Student Support Services, said in a news release that the resource will equip parents with essential tools and support to foster their children’s mental and emotional growth.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to the well-being of our students, we are excited to introduce this new resource designed specifically to support families in addressing student mental health,” Kalama said. “Parents play a crucial role in their child’s overall mental health and this resource will help to provide them with the tools, information and support they need to foster positive mental and emotional growth for their child.”

The Cook Center for Human Connection has collaborated with 360 school districts nationwide, impacting over 3.3 million families of 46 states.

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