State Hospital welcomes partners

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

KANE'OHE — The Hawai'i State Hospital is trying to forge a partnership between the community and hospital and state specialists to improve mental healthcare for about 3,000 people receiving treatment.

To help promote the partnership, the hospital set up a fair on the Kane'ohe hospital grounds last week that looked more like a college career festival, with patients and others getting a chance to see what was being offered in the community. The first-time event also gave professionals a chance to talk with hospital staff.

As of Thursday, there were 163 patients at the state hospital, which has a capacity of 172. State Health Director Bruce Anderson said an estimated 20,000 people statewide suffer from serious mental illness, although only one in three seeks treatment.

He said the most common disorders treated are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Some patients also suffer from drug and alcohol abuse.

Anderson said the hospital had come a long way since 1991, when the state entered a court-ordered agreement to improve conditions.

"It was a place to put people who society didn't want," he said. "It was really an atrocious situation."

At Thursday's fair, a band played Hawaiian music while people picked up brochures and had lunch. Patients said the fair gave them a chance to see what community programs were available to help people make the transition out of residential programs.

While it's clear that some of the hospital's patients will be there a long time, others move on, with an average of 15 patients discharged each month. Hospital administrator Paul Guggenheim said most patients have been ordered by the court to remain at the facility.

Charleen Teixeira-Maile, case manager for the organization Hale Na'au Pono, said the fair had given her a chance to talk with patients and other mental health professionals in a nonthreatening environment.

By working with patients before they get out, Teixeira-Maile said, the private organization can coordinate with the state to see that people's needs for housing, food, clothing and benefits are met without gaps.

"A lot of them don't have anybody. We love them until they can love themselves," she said, acknowledging that she works in a high-stress job.

"But it's so rewarding."