In the event of natural disasters, Child &Family Service has launched a localized hotline for those experiencing stress or trauma.
The hotline is available to anyone in Hawaii and offers care to people dealing with the trauma caused by current, recent or past natural disasters including volcanoes, hurricanes, floods and other events.
“There is no shame in feeling anxious about what’s happening in our environment,” Christine Fliniau, director of East Hawaii programs for CFS, said in a press release. “This line is a safe place for people to feel heard, listened to, and supported.”
The line is operated from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and has a voicemail option for after-hours calls.
Help can be reached by dialing: (808) 681-1445.
During operating hours, callers will be directed to island-specific, responder-trained staff members who can refer people to proper resources based on the current moment. This includes short-term and long-term help, as well as agencies to assist with temporary shelter or access to food, phone numbers and other resources.
There are 19 staff responders statewide, with the Big Island having four part-time staff members and one supervisor. During times of crisis, the amount of dedicated line staff will double, according to a CFS representative.
CFS started launching the hotline in August 2022 prior to the latest Mauna Loa and Kilauea eruptions, with the goal of providing mental health and emergency resources to children and adults.
“This hotline is not just dedicated to callers experiencing trauma from a current or recent natural or man-made disaster,” said a CFS representative. “It is not uncommon for trauma reactions to present themselves years after an incident. New activity can often re-ignite those old feelings, emotions, and anxieties from a previous experience.”
Funding for CFS comes from state and federal sources, with support for the hotline provided by the Hawaii State Child &Adolescent Mental Health Division.
CFS is a nonprofit working in the community since 1899, and from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, the organization provided direct services to 14,132 individuals, helping another 75,000 via phone calls, referrals and educational presentations.
More information can be found at: www.childandfamilyservice.org.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.