Hawaiʻi Virtual Care Launches to Improve Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

Founded by the same team behind Crownview Psychiatric Institute, the program seeks to provide quality behavioral healthcare and address treatment limitations faced by individuals and families in Hawaiʻi.

Jeff Klein, co-founder of both organizations, noted that insurance coverage often complicates access to out-of-state treatment for many Hawaiʻi residents, making it a less realistic option. He highlighted the challenges faced when high-quality care is not available locally, leaving individuals with limited choices.

The initiative addresses a persistent gap in mental health services. According to the University of Hawaiʻi’s 2025 Physician Workforce Report, there is an estimated 39% statewide shortage of adult psychiatrists, with Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi missing about two-thirds of the necessary professionals. Maui is also significantly under-resourced, needing nearly half the psychiatrists to meet the demand.

The need for treatment in Hawaiʻi is substantial, with federal survey data indicating that approximately 195,000 adults, or nearly one in five, experienced a substance use disorder in the past year, yet three out of four did not receive needed treatment.

For residents on neighboring islands, seeking intensive treatment often involves traveling to Oʻahu or facing difficulties finding suitable local options. Hawaiʻi Virtual Care delivers structured behavioral health services through video sessions statewide, enabling individuals to receive care without leaving their jobs, homes, or families.

The leadership team, comprising Klein, Dr. Mark Melden, and Chandler Blanks, brings extensive experience in behavioral health and is committed to improving access to high-quality treatment in Hawaiʻi. Klein and Dr. Melden previously established Crownview Psychiatric Institute in San Diego in 2014, where they earned recognition for providing personalized, comprehensive psychiatric care.

Klein has over 20 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment, while Dr. Melden is a board-certified psychiatrist with training from the University of Southern California and the University of California, Irvine. CEO Chandler Blanks brings more than a decade of operational leadership to the program.

Hawaiʻi Virtual Care aims to bridge the gap between weekly therapy, which may not offer sufficient support, and residential treatment, which might be too intensive and disruptive to daily life. The program features session offerings from Monday to Thursday evenings, delivering approximately twelve clinical hours per week through group, individual, and family sessions, all conducted by licensed Hawaiʻi clinicians.

The program is currently accepting inquiries from individuals and families throughout the state. Klein emphasized that reaching out for help is often the most challenging step, but assured that the team will support clients through the process: “Everything after that first call, we do with you. That’s the promise we built Crownview on, and it’s the one we’re bringing to Hawaiʻi.”