LIHU‘E — When everyone works together to support those who need help in getting their lives together, society benefits. The statement is in line with “Join the Voices of Recovery: It’s Worth It!,” the theme of this year’s National Recovery
LIHU‘E — When everyone works together to support those who need help in getting their lives together, society benefits.
The statement is in line with “Join the Voices of Recovery: It’s Worth It!,” the theme of this year’s National Recovery Month. It is an invitation for health and wellness organizations to reach out to the community by participating in the county’s Sixth Annual Health and Wellness Fair Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.
The health fair is free and open to the public.
“Our aim is to help people live healthy and productive lives,” said Theresa Koki, Life’s Choices Kaua‘i coordinator, in a release. “I encourage health and wellness groups in the community to join us at the fair where residents will be able to obtain information on a broad spectrum of health concerns in one central location.”
Behavioral health is an essential part of health and overall wellness, states a proclamation issued by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and presented to a coalition of community organizations involved in the community’s well being.
Mental and substance abuse disorders have a powerful effect on the health of individuals and on the nation’s social, economic and health-related problems, the proclamation states.
In 2010, 2.6 million people aged 12 and older received specialty treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem and more than 31.3 million adults aged 18 and older received services for mental health problems, states the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
“This is a serious public health problem,” said Beth Tokioka, representing Carvalho in the proclamation presentation. “We must continue to reach those who need help through the support of the county’s Life’s Choices program as well as the many qualified community organizations and agencies.”
In 2008, an estimated 8,000 children between the ages of 12 through 17 and 93,000 adults aged 18 and older were dependent on or abusing illicit drugs or alcohol in Hawai‘i. Approximately 4,000 children aged 12 through 17 needed but had not received treatment for illicit drug use, and there are approximately 5,000 children between the same age group who needed but had not received treatment for alcohol use, the proclamation states.
People who experience mental and/or substance use disorders who seek help can embark on a new path toward improved health and overall wellness.
This path is being undertaken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and reaches down to the county through Life Choices Kaua‘i Prevention, Enforcement, Treatment and Community Integration Teams.
The groups invite the public to take advantage of all of the information and services available during the health and wellness fair on Sept. 20.
The promotion of positive mental health and prevention of mental and substance use disorders are key parts of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illnesses on America’s communities, the proclamation states.
Organizations interested in signing up for the health fair should call Koki at 241-4925 or email tkoki@kauai.gov.
Visit www.kauai.gov/lifeschoiceskauai for online registration forms.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
