Honolulu Civil Beat recently visited Maui to report on the continuing challenges in our schools since the August 8, 2023 wildfires.
Meeting Students’ Emotional and Mental Health Needs
Many students are still processing the events of last year, and may need extra mental health support to be able to focus on academics.
Heather Long, Program Director for Adolescent Treatment Services for Maui Youth & Family Services, was interviewed in the story. She shared that students have gone through a process of grief and recovery over the past year, starting with the need to get their basic needs met, regrouping in their home lives, in some cases, moving to a new home, and reestablishing their school lives.
“Dealing with the trauma now, I actually do think it gets worse,” Long said, as some students are only now understanding the loss and trauma they experienced after the fires.
The shortage of qualified counselors and therapists on Maui can make it harder for students to connect with trusted adults or focus on their schoolwork if they’re struggling emotionally, she added.
Read the full story in Honolulu Civil Beat.
