HPA Behavioral Health Convention

Serving the Mental Healthcare Needs of College Students in Hawai’i
Chair: Alexander Khaddouma, PhD

This symposium will discuss unique methods and resources for serving the mental health needs of college students on the Hawaiian Islands. Learning objectives include attendees being able to:

• Explain current trends and utilization of mental healthcare services in college and university settings.
• Describe effective methods for applying multicultural and community-based frameworks to meeting the mental healthcare needs of college students.
• Analyze unique efforts and challenges for meeting the mental healthcare needs of college students on the Hawaiian Islands.

Presentations include:

Novel Methods for Promoting Student Mental Health: The Counselor-In-Residence Program
Presenter: Allyson Tanouye, PhD
Abstract: The Counselor-In-Residence (CIR) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa began in 1979 as a means of building a collaborative relationship between the Counseling and Student Development Center and Student Housing Services. Through this program, mental health professionals are embedded into student housing services and provide student residents, hall staff, and professional staff with on-call crisis intervention services, preventative programming, consultation, and referral services. The program has received numerous awards for its success, including recognition by Hawaiʻi’s governor, David Ige. This presentation will discuss the structure, history, and applicability of this novel program to improving student mental health services on college campuses.

Co-Creating Transformative Multicultural Conversations with College Students
Presenter: Hannah Im, PsyD
Abstract: The Counseling and Student Development Center is uniquely positioned to serve a truly multicultural student body at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. This talk will focus on providing relevant illustrations which highlight the importance of not just being competent in multicultural awareness, but of actively co-creating therapeutic encounters where transformative multicultural conversations can occur. This talk will also discuss essential multicultural values and practices which inform the therapeutic frame, broadens clinical conceptualizations and guides therapeutic action.

Challenges and Experiences Working with College Students from a Neighbor Island Perspective
Presenter: Aris Banaag, MFT
Abstract: In 2008, UH Maui College was the second community college within the UH system to begin serving students with various mental health issues and challenges. My method allows me to work with students, faculty, and staff in a holistic manner. My approach is not focused on simply reducing symptoms, but rather on increasing emotional awareness, emphasizing personal strengths, improving relationships, as well as building self-esteem and understanding. This talk with will discuss how coming from a small community provides an opportunity to foster stronger connections within the university system through safety and trust.

Bicultural Identity Integration Amongst Native Hawaiian College Students
Presenter: Kahanaaloha Kuikahi-Duncan, PhD
Research indicates that Bicultural Identity Integration (BII) influences mental health and wellness (Benet-Martinez, Leu, Lee & Morris, 2002). Bicultural identity integration is the extent to which an individual, who identifies with two cultures, perceives those identities as compatible and complementary. Essentially, biculturals must learn to reconcile possibly opposing expectations on how to interact and behave which can influence outcomes such as mental health and wellness. Despite competing cultural norms, some biculturals are able to successfully navigate both sets of demands, while others are not. This study uses the bicultural identity integration theory, proposed by Benet-Martinez, Leu, Lee and Morris (2002) to assess the relationship between bicultural identity integration, mental health status, and academic achievement among Native Hawaiian college students.