THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3068

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the university of hawaii.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that an urgent need exists for greater access to mental health services at the university of Hawaii.  Nationally, the percentage of teenagers and young adults aged twenty-six and younger who report mental distress, depression, and suicidal ideation has increased significantly over the past decade.  As anxiety and depression swells among students across the nation, student counseling centers in Hawaii, like their mainland counterparts, are unable to keep up with demand.

     The legislature further finds that mental health counselors in Hawaii have noted that the issues exhibited by students are becoming more serious.  For example, according to officials at the university of Hawaii at Manoa, anxiety diagnoses among students have surpassed depression diagnoses, and reported suicidal ideations have increased.  Despite this, students at the university of Hawaii at Manoa are required to wait an average of twenty-three days from their initial call for help to the time that they meet with a licensed counselor.  Further, despite having the largest enrollment of students of any community college in the university of Hawaii system, Leeward community college does not have any psychologists on staff and must refer any of its students in need to other university of Hawaii campuses.

     The legislature notes that the International Association of Counseling Services recommends a ratio of one mental health professional for every one thousand to one thousand five hundred students.  The university of Hawaii at Hilo and Kauai community college are the only two university of Hawaii system campuses that meet this recommended ratio.  Most other campuses would require at least five additional counselors per campus to meet this recommended ratio.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to increase student access to mental health services by appropriating funds for additional psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor positions across the university of Hawaii system.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for additional psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor positions at all campuses of the university of Hawaii system.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

UH; Mental Health Services; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to increase access to mental health services across the University of Hawaii system.

 

 

 

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