Anxious for help

Star-Bulletin staff

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the United States, yet less than 30 percent of those affected seek treatment due of a lack of knowledge about the problem.

The Hawaii State Hospital is offering two free screening sessions 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. May 7 at the facility's Cooke Building on Keaahala Road in Kaneohe.

Participants will receive information about anxiety disorders, view a related video, fill out a confidential questionnaire and attend a brief, private interview with a mental health professional.

If the questionnaire indicates symptoms of an anxiety disorder, follow-up information and referrals will be provided.

For more information, call the Hawaii State Hospital at 247-2191.

Fair play for wellness

April is Donor Family Decision Month, and a Family Health Fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Daiei Waipahu will showcase the need for organ and tissue donors and honor people involved in donations, as well as help people learn more about healthier living.

Free health tests, demonstrations and samples of healthy Filipino dishes, entertainment and door prizes will be featured.

Sponsors are the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, Philippine Cultural Foundation, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, United Filipino Council of Hawaii, Oahu Filipino Community Council and Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program.

For more information, call Angie Iaea at 599-7630, or Tony Sagayadoro at 676-0468.

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Yoga: Seven-week course begins 6 p.m. tomorrow, Waikiki Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Ave. First class is free. Call 739-2380.

International Life Support Inc.: Combination first aid/CPR class 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, 99-840 Iwa Iwa St. Call 487-4900. Fee.

International Life Support Inc.: Bloodborne/airborne pathogens class, noon to 2 p.m. Friday, 99-840 Iwa Iwa St. Call 487-4900. Fee.

March of Dimes WalkAmerica '97: Saturday, 8 a.m. at Kukui Grove Pavilion on Kauai; and 7 a.m. at Kaunakakai Regional Park on Molokai. Sponsored by AT&T, NBC Hawaii News8, and KSSK AM/FM Radio. Register at 1-(800)-272-5240.

Hawaii Parkinson Syndrome Organizations: Barbara Shirland, registered nurse and director of clinical operations of Hospice Hawaii, will speak 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Epiphany Church School, 1041 10th Ave. Call 247-1873 or 737-2800.

Diabetes: To promote education and awareness of diabetes, St. Francis Medical Center presents a free program, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, L.Q. Pang Auditorium. Information at 547-6995.

Rob Muzzio: Olympic decathlete speaks about controlling asthma during Straub Foundation's Symposium on Asthma and Chronic Airways Diseases, Saturday, Ilikai Hotel. Reservations required. Call Stacey White, (212) 508-9679.

International Life Support Inc.: Saturday, Heartsaver/Healthcare Provider CPR class, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Hickam Pediatrician CPR class, noon to 4 p.m., 99-840 Iwa Iwa St. Call 487-4900. Fee.

First aid and safety class: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Queen's Medical Center. Cost: $25. Prepayment required. Reservations at 537-7117.

Hawaiian workshops: Karen Leialoha Kaanehe Higa leads two Hawaiian healing two-day workshops, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Heeia State Park, 46-465 Kamehameha Highway. Call 247-3156 or 668-1511.

"Eat For Life": Jennifer Raymond, author of "The Peaceful Palate" and "The Best of Jenny's Kitchen," will give a lecture and cooking demonstration, 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Castle Center for Health Promotion, 46-001 Kamehameha Highway. Limited seating. Pre-register at 235-8737.

Castle Medical Center: Orientation and tour of the Birth Center, 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 263-5100 to register.

"You and Me Baby": Exercise program for expectant mothers begins Monday, Nuuanu YMCA, 1441 Pali Highway. The four-week class (12 classes) is designed to make delivery and postpartum easier. Certified instructors. Cost: $47. Free parking. Call the membership department at 536-3556.

International Life Support Inc.: Pharmacology classes, 5 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 99-840 Iwa Iwa St. Call 487-4900. Fee.

International Life Support Inc.: Wednesday, Heartsaver/Healthcare Provider CPR class, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Pediatrician CPR class, noon to 5 to 9 p.m., 99-840 Iwa Iwa St. Call 487-4900. Fee.

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VOLUNTEERS WANTED

AIDS research: HIV patients interested in new treatments for HIV and opportunistic infections can participate in a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Another NIH-sponsored study examines the impact of HIV on women. Research is being conducted by the Hawaii AIDS Clinical Trials Unit and the Hawaii Aids Research Consortium. Call 737-2751 (Oahu) or 1-(800)-806-8208 (neighbor islands).

Free diabetes screening: People under 45 who have a relative with Type 1 diabetes are eligible for a free screening, part of a six-year study sponsored by the National Institute of Health. Your blood will be tested for antibodies linked with an elevated risk for developing diabetes. People found to be at risk may participate in the Diabetes Prevention Trial, which explores whether diabetes can be delayed or prevented. Call 531-6886.

Research on women's health: Women ages 50 through 79 needed for the Women's Health Initiative, a long-term study sponsored by the National Institute of Health. WHI looks into the prevention of heart disease, cancer and bone fracture, and the value of hormone treatment and calcium and vitamin D supplements. Women must be in good health, past menopause, and expect to live on Oahu for the next three years. Call Women's Health Hawaii at 547-9814.

Patient care research project: National Cancer Institute and Pacific Health Research Institute are studying whether screening people for cancer of the prostate, lung, colon or ovaries will reduce the number of deaths from these cancers each year. Volunteers ages 55 to 74 can call PLCO (Prostate Lung Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial) at 545-3660 or 1-(800)-834-7500.

Yoga for diabetics: Bikram's Yoga College offers a month of free lessons for diabetics who participate in a study of the effects of yoga. Participants must commit to four or five days a week. Call 737-5519. Hatha yoga lessons are $10, or $80 for 10.

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SUPPORT GROUPS

Adoptee support group: 7 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month until May 22.

Alzheimer's Association: Honolulu chapter offers support groups for caregivers of people affected by Alzheimer's and related diseases. Groups meet regularly in different neighborhoods. Call Marilyn Schoenke at 591-2771.

Anxiety education meetings: 6 to 7:30 p.m., first and third Thursday of every month, Queen's Medical Center. Call 547-4401.

Arthritis support group: 6:45 p.m. every third Wednesday of each month, Castle Medical Center. Call 235-8636.

Bereavement support: 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Castle Medical Center. Call 263-5343.

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HOTLINES

Suicide/crisis: 521-4555

For help with other health, social or personal concerns, call ASK-2000 at 275-2000. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A counselor will refer you to the appropriate agency.