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HILO -- A proposal for a master's degree program in counseling psychology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo has been submitted to the Legislature. It was approved last year, but did not receive funding. UH-Hilo needs
counseling programOur island has the highest rate of economic, health, psychological and social problems in the state. It has the highest mortality rate from AIDS, heart disease, cancer and suicide.
The Big Island also has the highest unemployment rate, lowest income per capita and the highest rate of welfare recipients.
We also have the highest rate of child abuse, births by teen moms and temporary restraining orders involving domestic violence.
Last, but not least, the county has the highest rate of alcohol and drug abuse.
The need for professionals to fill vacant counseling positions in the public and private sectors for providers of mental health care in Hawaii is so great that these organizations are forced to hire professionals from the mainland.
The University of Hawaii does not offer a master's degree in counseling psychology -- only a doctorate in clinical psychology, which accepts less than 10 students a year. In addition, when professionals are not available to fill these vacant positions, they are often filled by unqualified personnel.
This may be one reason why the state is failing to meet the criteria, as required by the Felix consent decree, to provide adequate educational and mental health services to students in need of these services by June 30.
Last semester I circulated a petition in support of a master's program in counseling psychology at our campus. In December, I sent the petition -- with 400 signatures -- to all 76 members of the Legislature, Governor Cayetano and Hawaii's congressional delegation.
I received 10 letters of support from representatives and senators, including Sens. Carol Fukunaga and Sen. Andrew Levin.
THEY informed me that last year the Senate approved $170,038 in the Senate version of the state budget during the 1999 session for our program. However, funding was not included in the House and final version of the budget.
People who signed the petition should send e-mail to Rep. Dwight Takamine (reptakamine@capitol.hawaii.gov), who represents North Hilo-Hamakua, and Rep. Bertha Kawakami (repkawakami@capitol.hawaii.gov), who represents Koloa-Waimea-Niihau, to ask them to finance our proposal.
Tamara Clay is a senior majoring in psychology
at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.