Three years after the 2023 Maui fires, mental health help is still ramping up for survivors, and much of it is free.

• A federally funded program called Maui SURGE pulls together Hawaii health groups to offer counseling rooted in local culture.
• Many survivors are only now getting stable housing and food, and the emotional toll tends to hit once life settles down.
• Queen's Counseling Services serves the whole state by telehealth and has sent therapists to Maui in person at no charge.
• Help includes one-on-one therapy and psychiatric medication when needed.
• The main message to people hit by fires, floods, or storms: ask for help instead of assuming someone else needs it more.

Outlook: Demand for this kind of support is likely to keep growing as more Hawaii residents face floods and storms on top of the fire recovery.