FIRST RELATIONSHIPS

Promoting the emotional health of Hawaiʻi’s youngest.

Highlights and Announcements

Our Vision of Infant Mental Health

In Hawai‘i the early years are celebrated and revered, first relationships are nurtured, and infant and early childhood mentalhealth is everyone’s kuleana.

Our Mission

We nurture the emotional health and resiliency of Hawai‘i’s keiki by growing a network of professionals and a system of care that is founded upon infant and early childhood mental health practices.

OUR VALUES

We promote the social and emotional health of Hawaiʻi’s youngest by building commitment and capacity to foster nurturing relationships, through partnerships, public education, professional training and advocacy.

  • Pilina (Relationships)

    All that we do is centered in fostering positive relationships.

  • Hoʻolono (Reflective practice)

    To lean in to the stories of ʻohana, makua, keiki, and the people who serve them, in the spirit of growth.

  • Kaiāulu (Community)

    To acknowledge, incorporate, and empower the unique cultures that comprise our island state.

  • Laulima (Collective Leadership)

    to bring together the many hands that support babies and ʻohana in our community, with the belief that we can achieve more when we work together

Why is Infant Mental Health So Important?

It is essential to ensure that first relationships are trusting and caring, since early relationships provide an important foundation for later development in all areas. Support to strengthen early relationships can make a huge difference in the child’s developing sense of self, emotional life, school-readiness, and lifelong ability to form healthy relationships. Infant and early childhood mental health reflects both the social and emotional capacities and the primary relationships in children from birth through age five.

Become a Member

Our members get access to more resources, stay up to date on announcements, and attend AIMH HI events at a reduced cost.