Mestisa C. Gass, PsyD, is the Program Director for Mental Health America of Hawaii. Her education and experience has been focused on diverse populations including inpatient acute adolescent care, community mental health, and military mental health. She is Co-chair for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention- Hawaii chapter, a member of the Mental Health Task Force and Statewide Suicide Prevention Task Force, and an advisory board member for the Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse. Since 2006, she has been working in Hawai‘i, being originally from the Appalachian Mountains. She is passionate about bringing education, support, and resources to all communities, especially rural areas like those in which she grew up.