Hawaii's High Teen Suicide Rates Prompts State To Improve Mental Health Care Services

Mental health care services in Hawaii have been made more accessible especially among young teenagers. The country is one of the states in the US where suicide is the leading cause of death. Lawmakers are asking whether the suicides were because there is not enough treatment programs are available in the islands. 

Lowered Age Of Consent

Hawaiian lawmakers have lowered the age of consent for mental health care services in the state. Previously, teenagers that were not 18 years old need to be accompanied by their parents or a guardian in order to get treatment. With the new bill, teens as young as 12 may get access to the treatment without any need for parental consent.

The lowered age of consent, according to supporters of the bill, is important for minors that may be experiencing trouble at home. Minors that may be sexually or physically abused and those who identify as an LGBTQ teen may want to access the mental health services in order to seek help without letting their parents know. 

"In order to potentially save a life, it's important for them to be able to get services," Hawaii Youth Services Network executive director Judith Clark said, as reported by WRAL.com. With the lowered age standards, the initiative allows children and teenagers alike to get the help they need without raising tensions at home.

If you need to talk feel free to message us! #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #EndTheStigma #YourLifeMatters pic.twitter.com/px6INzwdz3

— Stop Teen Suicide© (@Help_sts) November 8, 2015

Teen Suicides Caused By Lack Of Mental Health Treatment Programs?

Hawaiian lawmakers questioned the presence of mental health care programs for minors in the islands. West Hawaii Today reports that there are currently two mental health facilities for adolescents in the state, and they are both located in Oahu.

Lawmakers have been pondering on the availability of programs and services for these teenagers at risk of suicide could and its effect on preventing any future suicide attempts, thus lowering suicide rates in Hawaii. Furthermore, the bill comes just a few hours after an audit request for Hawaii's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division was submitted. The agency was allotted a budget of $63 million for 2016-2017.