Cassandra Dumaslan, a Po’okela Fellows Internship Program intern assigned to the HPD District 2 Community Policing Team (CPT), spearheaded a community initiative at Leilehua High School to spotlight something many students silently struggle with: mental health.

On April 10, 2025, Dumaslan organized an interactive exercise during the school’s lunch period to ensure every student felt seen, heard, and valued. Her goal? To create a space for open conversation and remind students they’re not alone.

Students wrote personal affirmations on green paper circles, which were added to a board that quickly became a visual wall of support and solidarity. By the end of lunch, around 100 green affirmation bubbles filled the board, turning it into a living mosaic of encouragement and strength.

Working closely with school staff and CPT officers, Dumaslan’s leadership helped students recognize the importance of mental health.

For more information on mental health, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaii.

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