Here to Help – Support Student Well-Being and Mental Health

OUR VISION

At the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, our vision is that every student is educated, healthy, and joyful, a lifelong learner who contributes positively to both our local communities and the world around us.

We’re supporting mental health and well-being, ensuring students feel connected, capable, and cared for.

Mental Health = Physical Health

“Just like we take care of our bodies,
we need to take care of our minds.”

OUR SUPPORT SYSTEM

To help each student thrive and reach their full potential, we embrace a comprehensive framework known as the Hawaiʻi Multi-Tiered System of Support (HMTSS). This whole-child approach prioritizes not only academic success, but also the mental health and well-being of all students.

Through the HMTSS framework, the Department’s Here to HELP initiative offers a continuum of care from school-wide promotion and prevention efforts to more targeted and intensive interventions. These supports address eight priority areas, grounded in evidence-based practices recommended by recognized organizations like The Jed Foundation and the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH).

A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Student mental health is a shared responsibility, students, parents and families, and faculty all play an important role. When school and home work together as a team, we create a supportive, connected environment where students feel seen, heard, and valued. By communicating openly, noticing changes, and reaching out early, we strengthen student wellness and remind our young people that they are never alone

OUR 8 PRIORITY AREAS

These 8 priorities ensure a focused, collaborative, and comprehensive approach. The specific array of supports and services offered will vary from school to school based on the unique culture and needs of the school community.

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OUR HERE to HELP STORY

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:

H = Honoring Connections
E = Engaging in Well-being Conversations
L = Learning Needs and Identifying Strengths
P = 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.

OUR LOGO & MASCOT STORY

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 Hawaiʻi, “expresses the spiritual and physical well-being” of Hawaiʻi’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.

To learn more about KOKUA, our Here to Help mascot, click below. Kokua was designed by seventh grader Chloe Yu and helps build awareness about HIDOE’s initiative for student support and mental health.

WATCH THE VIDEO

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