HONOLULU – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaii proudly partnered with The Queen’s Medical Center to thank its frontline behavioral health care workers for their tireless work throughout this pandemic.
In appreciation of their efforts, NAMI Hawaii donated 35 care packages to staff at the Family Treatment Center, the child and adolescent inpatient behavioral health unit at The Queen’s Medical Center. The bags contained a $25 Macy’s gift card, stress ball, and other items donated by businesses and organizations. The presentation was made to staff on Monday, July 12 at The Queen’s Medical Center.
The donation is part of a national initiative called “NAMI Frontline Wellness” which supports frontline health care workers who may face adverse mental health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to provide resources and support to those who may need it.
NAMI Hawaii chose Queen’s as its recipient due to its longstanding relationship. Queen’s has sponsored our NAMIWalks Hawaii and NAMI Hawaii State Conference. In addition, Queen’s has partnered with us in our Crisis Intervention Team Steering Committee, and are co-presenters with us at Crisis Intervention Team police trainings.
“Our frontline health care workers deserve so much support and recognition for their efforts,” said Kumi Macdonald, Executive Director of NAMI Hawaii. “We want them to know we are here to support them in their work. The pandemic has taken a toll on so many of us mentally, and we want our health care heroes to know we are thinking of them.”
“We appreciate NAMI Hawaii’s generous and thoughtful donation to our caregivers,” said Sondra Leiggi-Brandon, Vice President of Patient Care, Behavioral Health Services, at The Queen’s Medical Center. “We recognize the toll this pandemic has taken on all our caregivers. Their mental health and well-being is extremely important to us and we are pleased to partner with NAMI Hawaii to highlight the services and good work that they are doing in our community.”
NAMI Hawaii is proud to offer programs of education and real-life recovery for individuals and families affected by mental illness and anyone interested in being better informed. We strive to raise public awareness about mental illness and better mental health. The more people who understand and know more about mental illness, the less likely prejudice and stigma will exist in our community.
NAMI Hawaii would like to thank Macy’s, Starbucks, KIND Snacks, Frontline Impact Project, Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Thrive Global, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, and the CAA Foundation.
For more information about support groups and resources, visit namihawaii.org.
