Trauma-informed courts work to keep people in treatment, out of justice system
March 15, 2018
Courtrooms are no strangers to trauma. This includes the trauma many defendants experience throughout their lives, and the trauma they experience in court as they stand before a judge. In […]
1,200 Kansas Citians Trained in Mental Health First Aid
March 12, 2015
Last week, more than 180 people participated in the area’s second Mental Health First Aid ‘Day.’ Organized by the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers (MetroCouncil), the event took […]
Poverty, Depression Compound Challenges Facing Mothers with Infants
January 6, 2015
Usually, I write about the impact mental illness has on the broader society or on the lives of individuals living with a mental illness. But the other day I came […]
Training Saves Lives, Offers Hope
July 30, 2014
Hang around a mental health advocate long enough, and you’re likely to hear the phrase “early intervention.” This is shorthand for the simple concept that the sooner you can treat […]
Free Mental Health First Aid Training Offered
June 2, 2014
On July 10, the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers will host a Mental Health First Aid ‘Day.’ This first-ever opportunity for the Kansas City area will be offered […]
On Mental Health and Poverty: The New Rainbow to Offer ‘Port of Calm,’ ‘Port of Access’
February 18, 2014
In Sunday’s New York Times, a headline on the op/ed page underscored one of the central challenges in mental health and criminal justice circles: How do we reduce the number […]
On Mental Health and Poverty: Suicide Prevention ‘Everyone’s Business’
November 14, 2013
When I was a young teenager, a friend of mine lost his mother to suicide. I didn’t know her well, mostly through the carpool our mothers participated in. But I […]
On Mental Health and Poverty: Replacing Fear with Understanding
December 27, 2012
“Why does it always take a tragedy for people to show an interest in mental health?” That’s the question a colleague posed earlier this week when a television reporter arrived […]
Recent Tragedy in Kansas City Prompts Need for Mental Health Awareness
December 5, 2012
High-profile tragedies, such as the murder-suicide that occurred in Kansas City Saturday, often bring with them a great deal of conversation and speculation about what might have caused the perpetrator […]
Thinking Outside the Silo: Collaborative Discussion on Criminal Justice, Mental Health Systems
October 10, 2012
Most of us never have to worry about having a warrant out for our arrest. But if we do forget to pay that traffic fine, the warrant we get in […]
On Mental Health and Poverty: CIT Training a Great Start; Building on Community Partnerships
February 10, 2012
The vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent, do not hang out on street corners talking to themselves or make belligerent demands on passersby. But there are […]
Protecting Kansas Voters Rights
October 18, 2010
On November 2nd, Kansas voters will have an opportunity to protect the voting rights of people with mental illness. It’s hard to believe, but the state’s Constitution actually threatens those […]