Here to Help: Supporting School Communities Since 2021
Launched in 2021 in response to the global pandemic, Here to Help was created to connect our school communities with vital mental health supports and services. What began as a visual campaign to raise awareness has since evolved into a statewide initiative focused on eight key priority areas. These areas are supported by a range of resources, including on-demand learning modules, national partnerships, and professional development opportunities for staff.
At the heart of the initiative is the recognition of our Here to Help Adults—a growing network of dedicated Department staff who are committed to:
- Honoring Connections
- Engaging in Well-being Conversations
- Learning Needs and Identifying Strengths
- Providing Resources
We also celebrate schools that go above and beyond through our Ambassador School Program. Schools that certify over 50% of their staff as Here to Help Adults and demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing mental health support on campus are honored for their leadership and dedication.
About the Logo
Here to Help continues to grow, empowering our educators and strengthening school communities across the state.
The Here to Help logo was created to visually represent this commitment. The place marker—an upside-down tear shape—is a commonly used symbol on maps to identify where something can be found. Kalo, the official state plant of Hawai’i, “expresses the spiritual and physical well-being” of Hawai’i’s people, and also “symbolizes the environmental, social and cultural values important to the State.” Together, these two images convey a message of being present for students in the development of their well-being.
If you are interested in learning more about school-based well-being and mental health support and services, reach out to your school’s main office or contact: Hawai’i Keiki Hotline at (844) 436-3888 (toll-free) to access assistance.
If in crisis, don’t hesitate, reach out to:
- Crisis Text Line text ALOHA to 741741
- Hawai’i CARES at 808-832-3100 (O’ahu) or 1-800-753-6879 for neighbor islands
- or 911