About Us

The Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Taskforce (PSHTF) is the state’s major public-private collaborative of over 150 members dedicated to suicide prevention. PSHTF was tasked by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to craft a Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention in Hawaiʻi. The final plan and report can be found here (bound copies also available by request): https://go.hawaii.edu/k8k.

Today, PSHTF members provide leadership, set goals and objectives, develop strategies, coordinate activities, and monitor the progress of suicide prevention efforts in Hawai‘i.

- Jeanelle Sugimoto-Matsuda, DrPH – Co-Chair, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawai‛i at Mānoa (jsugimot@hawaii.edu)
- Danielle Bergan – Co-Chair, Maui Mental Health Trainings and Consulting (bergand001@hawaii.rr.com )
- Zerui Renee Yu, MPH, LMHC, ATR – Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Department of Health Emergency Medical Services & Injury Prevention Branch
- Island Taskforces
  - Hawai‘i Island – Yolisa Duley and Joy Hohnsteine
  - Kauaʻi – Priti “Maya” Tayal
  - Maui – Danielle Bergan and Wendy Schwartz
- Hawai‘i United Prevention Task Force(Joint Military): Melody Bell, Stephany Garcia, Brent Ono
- Hawai‘i Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families: Retired Colonel Rob Swanson
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Hawai‘i Chapter: Dennis Hida, Karen Ng
- Mental Health America of Hawai‘i: Mestissa Gaas
- Hawai‘i Department of Health, Kathleen Merriam
- Hawai‘i Department of Education, Sheri Taketa

Sign-up for our email list to receive agendas of upcoming meetings; minutes of past meetings; notices of future meetings, trainings, and conferences; and local and national information.

For training requests and resources please email preventsuicidehi@gmail.com.

‘Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kokua aku kokua mai; pela iho la ka nohana ‘ohana.

Recognize others (watch), be recognized (observe), help others, be helped; such is the family/community way.

‘Ōlelo No‘eau Pukui (1983), No. 1200