FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MHK Launches Mental Health Consumer Driven Website Contributing writers give insight on mental illness Honolulu, HI / June, 2017 Maui, Hawaii: In an attempt to destigmatize those in our community with mental illness, Mental Health Kokua (MHK) has launched the website www.unlabelus.com where mental health consumers can contribute articles to increase awareness and understanding of those with mental illness. All of the material on the unlabelus.com website is produced by various people with mental illness. "The website gives contributing writers the opportunity to heal by sharing their personal thoughts through creative writing." says Don Lane, Media Specialist at Mental Health Kokua, who is also diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness. "It is our goal for the community to see people with a mental illness as members of society that are constructive and capable of recovery. "The website is updated bi-weekly with new articles produced by people in recovery from major mental illness.“Our new website is inspiring”, said Greg Payton, CEO of Mental Health Kokua. “When I started in this field the word ‘recovery’ was not in our professional vocabulary. Today recovery comes alive by people breaking through stigma with their own voices of inspiration.” Mental Health Kokua's video "Haleakala - A Trek For Dignity" Wins 37th Annual Telly Award Honolulu, HI / June, 2015 MHK’s video produced and directed by MHK’s Don Lane called, “Haleakala – A Trek For Dignity” won the 37th People’s Silver Telly Award (highest honor), for non-profit. Don Lane is not only MHK Media Specialist, but Don is also a graduate of Mental Health Kokua’s services. The Telly Awards, founded in 1979 is the premier award honoring the finest film and video productions, ground-breaking web commercials, videos and films, and outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs. http://www.tellyawards.com Rotary District 5000 Conference Special Project - Mental Health Kokua's Homeless Outreach Honolulu, HI / June, 2015 Mental Health Kokua (MHK) was the recipient of a generous service project donation from Rotary. The Rotary District 5000 Conference was held in Waikiki on June 11, 2016 where Rotary’s across Hawaii donated essential personal items for homeless outreach. MHK received 75 reusable bags of essentials, which are used to engage homeless adults with mental illness; e.g., soap, shampoo, tooth-brushes and tooth paste. Special thanks to Rotarian organizers Kathleen Rhoads-Merriam (former President of Metro Rotary) and Sandy Matsui (Assistant Rotary District Governor). The combined Rotary’s of Hawaii generously gave enough essentials to engage more than 300 homeless adults with mental illness. |