Hawaii's mental health crisis persists as Kaiser therapists face burnout and delays

Mental health therapists at Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii continue to face long wait times for appointments. This issue persists more than three years after a major strike. Many patients now wait over a month for their first or follow-up sessions. A recent survey revealed that 85% of therapists in Hawaii reported their next available return appointment was at least 21 business days away. Patients with depression or those grieving a loss often wait even longer. The situation has left many therapists struggling to provide timely care.

Staffing shortages are a key problem. 84% of therapists said their departments lacked enough personnel to meet patient needs. As a result, 96% of them work beyond their regular hours at least once a week to keep up with tasks. The strain has led 62% of therapists to consider leaving Kaiser in the past six months.

Kaiser’s current staffing levels highlight the disparity in care. In Hawaii, there is one mental health clinician for every 5,500 members. In northern California, the ratio is one clinician for every 1,916 members. These challenges come as Kaiser and the union negotiate a new contract, with talks ongoing since November 2025. The previous agreement expired in March 2026 after a one-month extension. The ongoing negotiations aim to address these issues. Therapists remain under pressure, and patients face delays in receiving care. Both sides continue discussions to improve conditions and access to mental health services.