Our History

Mental Health Kokua began as The House in 1973, specifically to assist persons recovering from serious mental illness in achieving their optimum level of independent living.  Mental Health Kokua has grown from a single program providing mental health services on Oahu to an agency with programs throughout the State. 

The agency is actively involved in advocacy for and action to address the needs of individuals whose mental distress, emotional crisis or mental illness is interfering with their lives.  Community based services are designed to be timely, cost effective and focused on enabling mentally ill persons to move toward recovery and restoration. 

The cost savings in terms of tax dollars is dramatic — community based intervention services offered by Mental Health Kokua cost approximately 10% of funds required for institutional care.