The 16th Annual Mental Health Mahalo Awards and Awareness Celebration

Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi is holding our 16th Annual Mental Health Mahalo Awards and Awareness Celebration Luncheon on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. We are the oldest mental health organization in the state and Hawaii’s leading voice for mental health advocacy, working to increase access to care and reduce discrimination against people living with mental illness.

The event will celebrate our community leaders, advocates, and organizations that have dedicated themselves to promoting mental wellness and improving the care of people with mental health issues through positive and innovative programs and leadership. It is important to recognize the long years of commitment so many have given to the mental health of our community. Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Outstanding Community Mental Health Leader: an individual or community organization that has led significant advocacy initiatives or spearheaded innovative new programs that resulted in meaningful improvement to mental health, in Hawaiʻi.

• Outstanding Government Leader: A government employee, elected official, or government agency that has developed groundbreaking programs and/or spearheaded public policies that significantly promote mental health.

• Outstanding Adult Mental Health Consumer Advocate: A person who has experienced mental illness and is a strong representative and advocate for improving mental health treatment and services and reducing discrimination.

• Outstanding Youth Mental Health Advocate: A young person (24 years and under) who is a strong advocate for increasing awareness of mental health, improving mental health treatment and services, and reducing discrimination.

• Outstanding Employer: An employer that provides innovative workplace programs to support employees' mental wellness and/or that hires people who have serious mental illness.

• Outstanding Family Advocate: A person who has a family member with mental illness who acts as a strong advocate for family members and people with mental illness.

In addition to the Mahalo Awards, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, along with its partners at PBS Hawaiʻi, will also be recognizing six Student Voice Awardees. Students from across the state, who participated in PBS Hawai`i’s HIKI NŌ program, were considered for the courage to raise their voices, chronicle personal challenges and triumphs, and to share their story whole heartedly.

Entertainment will be provided by Samuel Hashimoto & Will Tafolo. Lunch will be provided.

Registration closes on May 18, 2022 at 11:00PM.

Host or Publisher Mental Health America of Hawaii