Contacts for Support

If you’re in need of help or support, we have a variety of options and resources for you to consider reaching out to.

Please contact the Learning Specialists at jabsomls@hawaii.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

JABSOM Contacts:

For general guidance and counseling (academic, personal), general wellness counseling, career counseling, assistance in finding help, uncertainty about getting help, leave of absence, questionable incidents, potential student mistreatment, Title IX reporting (non-confidential), referral to Title IX resources (confidential and non-confidential), professionalism concerns, advising on extracurricular activities, and student advocacy needs:

Danny Takanishi, Jr., MD, FACS, FSSO
Interim Director of Student Affairs
(808) 692-0895
dtakanis@hawaii.edu
Kristen Teranishi, MD, MS
Assistant Director of Student Affairs
(808) 692-1006
kteranis@hawaii.edu

For general academic concerns, personal concerns, and general wellness concerns:

Learning Community Mentor:

Each JABSOM student is assigned a Learning Community Mentor at Orientation. Mentors are in non-supervisory and non-evaluative roles, and will assist in triage of students to other resources.

To support life-long learning skills in areas such as time management, critical reasoning, learning strategies, study skills, and test-taking strategies.

Learner support is tailored to support medical students academic success with individualized education plans based on learning assessments, skill development and learning needs, and preparation for USMLE exams.

Diana Thompson, MEd
Learning Specialist
(808) 692-1138
dianalt@hawaii.edu

For financial concerns, concerns about scholarship funding if going on leave of absence, financial knowledge, managing finances, and debt management counseling:

Kevin Kaneshiro
Scholarship Director & Financial Aid Counselor
(808) 692-1002
medfas@hawaii.edu

For culturally responsive counseling for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, faculty, and staff:

Ka Malu A Waʻahila:

For confidential mental health counseling:

*Counseling and Student Development Center (CSDC)
Confidential Counseling - UH Mānoa
Scheduling and Crisis Services: (808) 956-7927
http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/counseling/
*Haylin Dennison, LCSW
Confidential Counselor - JABSOM
(808) 797-4970
401 Kamakee Street, Suite 305, Honolulu, HI 96814
https://www.haylindennison.com/
Schedule an appointment online

 
*Resources marked with an asterisk are considered Confidential, meaning they are not mandated by law to report Title IX (sex discrimination) related incidents.


Please note:

JABSOM medical students can receive confidential counseling with licensed clinical therapist Haylin Dennison, LCSW.

Students can schedule an appointment through the website or by phone.  Telehealth sessions will be provided by default. In-person counseling sessions may be requested.

Service is free, however, students needing long-term care will be transitioned to payment through their health insurance plan and referred to a provider in the community.

Referral to Haylin for long-term service or through other therapists in her group may be possible depending on demand.

Community Resources:

In addition to the resources listed above, we have curated a list of community resources.

If you are a student under your parent’s health insurance plan, you may contact your insurance carrier to request for confidential communications such that insurance information is directly sent to you.

If not having confidential communications with your insurer is a barrier to you accessing necessary mental health resources then that can be considered “endangerment.” 

For those under HMSA, their form can be accessed on the HMSA website.  For other insurance carriers, you may need to talk to member services to obtain the form.

  • Psychology Today Database:
    This database provides a simple way to search providers based on information such as location of practice, type of insurance accepted, types of therapy practiced, gender of provider, credentials, specialties, etc. Your search will yield results containing detailed bios and information about each therapist.

  • Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA) Locator:
    If you are looking for a licensed psychologist or an HPA member mental health professional, this online locator can help you locate and obtain contact information for licensed providers.

  • Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC):
    This center provides a breadth of services for those who have experienced sexual assault recently or in the past.

  • HMSA Online Care App:
    HMSA’s Online Care is available to anyone in Hawaii, 18 years or older.  You don’t have to be an HMSA member to use Online Care.  In addition to mental health care providers, over 900 healthcare providers were added (since COVID) for this online care service.  There’s usually not more than a 10-minute wait to see a provider.

    For HMSA members:  your cost is between $0 to $15 depending on your health plan.  The cost will show on the page before you begin.  It’s also available in your Guide to Benefits in My Account on the HMSA website.

    For non-HMSA members: your cost depends on the provider you choose.  It will show on the page before you start your visit.

  • Hawaii Pro Bono Mental Health Center:
    No cost telehealth services for those without health care insurance.

  • Physician Support Line:
    This free, confidential support line is staffed by psychiatrists.  It provides support for medical students, residents, and fellows, 8am-1am Eastern Time, 7 days a week.  Visit the website or call (888) 409-0141.

  • Therapy Assistance Online (TAO):
    JABSOM students have access to a suite of online educational programs with engaging videos, animations and interactive activities that use evidence-based content to address common mental health-related concerns.  Students have completely anonymous, free access to these resources throughout the year using their UH email address.

  • Call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room

  • Hawaiʻi Cares – 24/7 Crisis Line of Hawaii at (808) 832-3100 (Oʻahu); 1-(800)-753- 6879 (Neighbor Island).  This is a free local, mental health and substance use call center to support adults and adolescents through crisis, treatment, and recovery.

  • Crisis Text Line – text ALOHA to 741-741

  • Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC) – 24/7 Hotline for sexual assault victims at (808) 524-7273

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK

  • Lifeline Crisis Chat – Online Messaging

  • Self-Harm Hotline – 1-800-DONT-CUT (1-800-366-8288)

  • National Crisis Line (Anorexia & Bulimia) – 1-800-233-4357

  • LGBT National Help Center Hotline – 1-888-843-4564

  • National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line – 1-800-622-2255