When a family member is struggling with mental health, navigating the situation can be an immense challenge. Often times, asking for help is the first step toward a positive outcome. Kumi Macdonald knows this firsthand. She found herself staring down a crisis when her son, a bright student, dropped out of college, depressed and suicidal.

But with assistance from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawai‘i, the local chapter of the country’s largest grassroots nonprofit mental health organization, Macdonald found some relief. She was able to meet other families coping in similar situations, learn about practical problem-solving, understand the services available to her, plus all of the ways she could be there for her son.

“Being in the community really helped—being in the support group, getting support from other families,” says Macdonald. “That empowered me and we got my son help, and he is now thriving.”

She was so impressed by NAMI Hawai‘i that she personally committed herself to the cause. Macdonald joined the organization in 2014 and, for more than five years now, has served as its Hawai‘i Executive Director. In that capacity, she’s tasked with leading the efforts to support, educate, advocate and raise awareness in Hawai‘i.

“Almost every human has experienced something of that nature, but not everyone’s willing to get help,” she says, pointing out that one in five adult Americans deals with a mental illness. “Sometimes, when people don’t go and get help, it can escalate or it can get worse. Many times it does.”

To that end, NAMI Hawai‘i aims to make an impact in many ways. It works to advocate and affect change at the legislative level. It offers Family Support Groups throughout O‘ahu, as well as on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. There’s the Family-to-Family education program, which Macdonald joined when her son was struggling. NAMI Hawai‘i also works with individuals, offering one-on-one guidance as they steer through the unknown. Above and beyond these specialized services, fundamentally, the organization aims to shed light on mental health and illnesses.

“Everyone is affected in one way or another,” Macdonald reiterates. “The more we bring awareness, the more we’re saying it’s not something to be ashamed of.”

NAMI Hawai‘i has successfully hosted conferences and workshops, creating networks to advance the cause. Volunteers—including Macdon- ald, who has dealt with depression herself—also go out into the commu- nity to share their stories. That same spirit of connection and generosity is evident at NAMIWalks Hawai‘i, which is held annually at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds at Honolulu Hale. This year’s edition is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 10, and Macdonald says all who attend the free event should look forward to a lot more than exercise: a special wellness tent will encompass everything from aromatherapy and art therapy to yoga and journaling, among other activities.

“What we want to say, ‘It’s OK to talk about it; it’s OK to share,’ and that we have a community,” says Macdonald, noting that none of this would be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who assist her and a staff of just three part-time employees.

“All of our teachers, all of our support group leaders, all of them—speakers— they’re all volunteers,” she says. “It’s really a volunteer-driven organization.”

(Macdonald adds that she’s “always looking for driven individuals who
are excited about our cause to come and help”; those who would like to get involved, especially with the upcoming NAMIWalks Hawai‘I, are encouraged to reach out.)

Still, one of NAMI Hawai‘i most important roles involves interfacing with local authorities. The organization is part of a special crisis intervention team, which also includes law enforcement and mental health community leaders, and fosters open communication to curb potential tragedy. Training includes lessons on de-escalation and related strategies, aided by speakers who have had run-ins with police during a mental health crisis, and can offer insight on those struggles and experiences.

“They’re people, and if treated properly, if they get help, they can go on to live successful lives,” says Macdonald.

And she knows this firsthand, too. Because her son now represents NAMI Hawai‘i’s ultimate success story.

“At Christmas, he told me that he became a board member for a nonprofit himself, and now he’s serving the community,” she says. “He’s now able to give back to society and help others.”

For more information on NAMI Hawai‘i visit namihawaii.org, call (808) 591-1297 or email info@namihawaii.org. If you are ever in need of immediate help, please call 1-800-273-8255.