University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii (UH) system with ten culturally diverse campuses across four Hawaiian Islands requires a comprehensive system-wide infrastructure in order to implement campus-specific suicide prevention and mental health programs. Seven goals to address infrastructure development needs are: 1) assess system-wide and campus specific needs; 2) develop policies and procedures for responding to critical mental health events; 3) identify system-wide and community-based resources; 4) establish campus-specific resource networks; 5) increase awareness and knowledge of risk and protective factors for suicide attempts among gatekeepers; 6) increase awareness and knowledge of risk and protective factors for suicide attempts among students; and 7) develop informational, educational, and training materials regarding risk and protective factors for suicide attempts and mental health adjustment.

That UH systems uniquely diverse general student population overlaps significantly with at-risk target populations underscores the importance of embedding culturally sensitive processes for program development and implementation. Outcomes expected are centralized and campus-specific guidelines for responding to critical and general mental health needs, increased awareness and knowledge among gatekeepers and target populations regarding risk and protective factors for suicide attempts, increased help seeking behavior and utilization of mental health services among general and target populations, and improved access to care and resources for critical and general mental health needs.