In Hawai'i, addressing the mental health of local youth and young adults is becoming a front-and-center issue with the launch of a new PSA campaign from OnTrack Hawaiʻi. The program, which operates under the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD), is setting its sights on boosting awareness for the early detection of psychosis. This push for greater understanding comes coated in urgency, given that early signs—think shifts in thought patterns, emotional states, or behaviors—often slip under the radar.
Tagged "Start with Care," this campaign kicked off last Friday, and it's making rounds across TV, radio, and social media outlets. The aim here is clear: underscore the heft of social support for the youth grappling with these experiences. And the approach is straightforward as well — listen up, check in, and reaffirm. Dr. Theresa Chen of OnTrack Hawaiʻi pointed out, “Often when a young person is experiencing symptoms of psychosis for the first time, they feel scared or confused, or are too embarrassed to talk about what is happening to them,” according to a statement on the health department's website.
For friends, families, and caretakers, the campaign is driving home the message that small, actionable steps can be significant. It could be as easy as connecting kids with adults they trust, promoting regular, healthy routines, and avoiding any whiff of judgment when broaching topics related to mental health. Compassion and a proactive stance, it seems, can set the stage for young people to reach essential mental health services—and these are critical, helping them realize personal and professional milestones.
In fact, a former OnTrack participant shared some insights: “It’s a good thing when you reach out for help," and "You can only look forward to getting better over the course of time. It’s a process — people don’t always trust the process, but you’re gonna get there,” they shared in an interview shared on the health department's website. It's a reminder that beyond the symptoms, it's about fostering a community that's safe and supportive, where youth feel heard and valued.
OnTrack Hawaiʻi's role is multi-faceted, extending much-needed services like therapy, medication management, and support in academics and employment for teens and young adults. These services are particularly tailored to those encountering unusual thoughts and behaviors or who may have started sensing things that aren't apparent to others. It's a setup that's focused not just on navigating through early psychosis but also on building a resilience that lasts.
