Our Journey
Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Connection (HiBHC) was born from the urgency of unmet need. Formerly known as Maui Strong Mental Health Response (MSMHR), our organization formed immediately following the devastating Lāhainā, Kula, and Olinda wildfires on August 8, 2023.
A collective of credentialed health and behavioral health professionals, we relied on the volunteer work of our colleagues and students to offer pro bono clinical, administrative, and training-related services.
What started as a temporary initiative quickly became a long-term commitment. With the support of a SAMHSA Emergency Response Grant, we expanded in April 2024 to become Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Connection.
Today, we are a nonprofit organization serving all islands, dedicated to ensuring permanent coordination of much-needed clinical services and training opportunities throughout Hawaiʻi.
OUR MISSION
To increase access to clinically and culturally appropriate care for all people of Hawaiʻi.
Our Values
Rooted in equity, ethics, and empirical evidence, we support systems of collaboration to connect, align, and create communities advancing professional development through our values of education, service, advocacy, program development, data, and collaboration.
Across all of our services and organization, our values are rooted in equity, ethics, and empirical evidence, which helps guide our compass.