Bill
SCR 225
Requires two State Mental Health Council members with Native Hawaiian well-being knowledge and annual OHA-led training to integrate culturally grounded healing practices.
SCR 225 — Summary
Overview
SCR 225 is a concurrent resolution in the Hawaii Legislature urging the Governor to integrate Native Hawaiian concepts of well-being and traditional healing practices into the State Council on Mental Health’s work. The resolution is non-binding and serves to formalize the Legislature’s request that the Council enhance culturally grounded approaches to mental health for Native Hawaiians.
Purpose and Intent
- Address Native Hawaiian mental health disparities, including higher youth suicide attempts and death rates, and underutilization of services.
- Promote culturally based mental health methodologies as more effective for Native Hawaiians.
- Strengthen the State Council on Mental Health’s capacity to reflect Native Hawaiian knowledge and practices in its work.
Key Provisions
- Requirement that at least two members of the State Council on Mental Health demonstrate knowledge of or experience with Native Hawaiian concepts of well-being, culturally grounded mental health methods, or traditional healing/practices.
- Mandate annual training for Council members on Native Hawaiian healing and health topics, to be conducted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Training topics include cultural awareness and addressing loss of ethnic identity.
- Certification and transmission: the resolution requests certified copies be transmitted to the Governor and the Chairperson of the State Council on Mental Health.
Background and Rationale (as stated in SCR 225)
- Native Hawaiians face unique mental health disparities beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood.
- There is a pattern of underutilization of mental health services among Native Hawaiians.
- Studies suggest culturally based programs are significantly more effective for Native Hawaiian mental health needs.
- The Legislature recognizes its obligation to address health disparities and supports incorporating Native Hawaiian concepts into state health governance.
Affected Parties
- Governor (executive branch) and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (provider of training).
- State Council on Mental Health (subject to enhanced cultural content and representation).
- Native Hawaiian communities, mental health professionals, and state-funded mental health initiatives benefiting from culturally grounded approaches.
Procedural Details and Timeline
- Bill Type: Concurrent resolution (SCR), non-binding.
- Status: Referred to HHS/HWN (House Health & Human Services and Hawaiian Affairs) as of March 12, 2025.
- Introduced: March 7, 2025.
- Related Bill: SR 200 (companion).
Fiscal Implications
- The text does not authorize new funding; it requests training by OHA and changes to Council composition. Any costs would depend on implementation by the Governor and OHA and potential budget/VRE adjustments.
Notes
- The resolution emphasizes policy guidance rather than statutory change and is intended to influence governance and training practices within the State Council on Mental Health.
- Certified copies to be transmitted to the Governor and the Chairperson of the State Council on Mental Health.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
