HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With the heartbreaking update in the search for Hannah Kobayashi, mental health advocates are encouraging community members to seek help if they are struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Ryan Kobayashi, father of missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi, was found dead Sunday morning. LAPD said he died after reportedly jumping from a parking structure near LAX.
He was in LA helping with the search for his daughter who was last seen getting off the metro on Nov. 11.
In a post online, Sydni Kobayashi, Hannah’s sister, said, “You’re with the angels now dad. I love you and miss you so much. Although my heart is breaking and my world feels shattered, I’m going to continue to stay strong for you. We’re going to find Hannah.”
In light of Ryan’s death, family members requested privacy as they grieve. They also encouraged supporters to stay focused on the search for Hannah.
Read a related report: ‘Please don’t hurt her’: Family of Maui woman missing in LA begs for her safe return
An Oahu crisis counselor and mental health supervisor for a community health center said navigating times of grief and stress can be incredibly difficult, and everyone processes it differently.
“Grief is very individual. Some people want to surround themselves with their loved ones. They want to cuddle and be together. And other people just really need to break away from that and have a lot of alone time,” Kathleen Merriam said.
Ultimately, she acknowledged that while it may be difficult for some to seek help, it is so crucial and could save a life.
“It’s really important to share what is going on right now. Share your feelings, share any plans. We need to have people feel comfortable to ask for help,” Merriam added.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org, dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK], or contact Hawaii Cares at 808-832-3100.
“These are people that are there because they care. There because they probably have some lived experience or personal experience and they want to help. So it does take a lot of strength to ask for help,” she said.
Karen Ng is the co-chair of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“We get so overwhelmed and think that the pain will never go away and it’s gonna there’s no way out and you know that’s when we need to find ways to kind of cope and find ways to get forward day by day. So really just finding how to get through one day at a time,” she said.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help to help aid the family in searching for Hannah. It has already raised more than $27,000.
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