People nationwide seek therapy for a variety of reasons. For many Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, seeking therapy can be especially difficult. Whether living in Hawai‘i or on the continental U.S, the stigma surrounding mental health remains problematic, perpetuating a culture of suffering in silence and in silos. Moreover, a high prevalence of therapists who are not from Hawai‘i or the Pacific, who lack understanding of the diverse cultural and ethnic composition of our people, can make building and sustaining a therapeutic connection especially challenging.

Throughout my 20+ years of working as a clinical social worker in Hawai‘i, mostly on the westside of O‘ahu in the Wai‘anae and Kapolei areas, it is my firm belief that {often times} when we engage in therapy with someone who is similar to us — someone who looks like us, talks like us, and has the capacity to understand and identify with us — it often makes therapy that much more relatable and meaningful; two components of therapy that are 100% essential.

At the heart of Kāko‘o Hawai‘i Mental Health Collective are Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander mental health professionals. They each come with their own areas of expertise, therapy style and vibe that they infuse into their practice, as well as a level of relatability and connection that is homegrown. With each session and each story shared, the stigma surrounding mental health begins to dissipate. Through the power of clinically-based intervention delivered through a culturally-aligned lens, our people can forge a new path -- one that honors the past, embraces the present and paves the way for a brighter and more resilient future.

Me ke aloha pau ‘ole.