BISAC CEO serving on board

Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita of the Big Island Substance Abuse Council is the newest member of the Mental Health America of Hawaii Board of Directors.

For 70 years, Mental Health America of Hawaii, a nonprofit organization, has been committed to promoting mental wellness, preventing mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders, reducing stigma and improving the overall care, treatment and empowerment of those with mental illnesses. The organization is an affiliate of the national Mental Health America organization, which has more than 300 other affiliate organizations.

Preston-Pita is the chief executive officer of BISAC. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified substance abuse counselor.

Preston-Pita has extensive work experience in rural health care, has been a part of several coalitions including suicide prevention and intervention, a drug-free coalition and a homelessness project.

She also has participated in the Co-Occurring State Incentive Grant research project, which conducted an evaluation of Hawaiian integrated programs in the Hawaii.

Since 1964, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council has been inspiring individuals and families to reclaim and enrich their lives in the wake of the ravages of substance abuse. The agency offer a continuum of services that are culturally appropriate and aligned with the ever-changing behavioral health field.

“I’m really very honored and humbled to be asked to serve on the Mental Health America of Hawaii Board,” Preston-Pita said. “It is good for the community for us to have a voice with an organization that has a national reach.”