Suicide Awareness P.A.C.T.

Jenny Keener is a social worker in West Virginia. She tells the story of addictive behaviors in her family which also led to the passing of her sister.  It's a story of family and faith that begs to be shared. www.hhomwv.org www.flinthillsvolunteercenter.com #AmeriCorps #SuicidePrevention

The Hope Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with all abilities through horseback riding and equine-assisted activities.  Listen as owners Ken and Cathy Scroggs share life-changing stories on how humans can connect with horses and find hope! #flinthillsvolunteercenter #hoperanchks #AmeriCorps #SuicidePrevention HopeRanchKS.org FlintHillsVolunteerCente...

Eric Martin is a Recovery Services Manager with Pawnee Mental Health.  On this episode, Eric delves into the challenges many face with mental health and addiction issues.  It's full of stories of hardship, despair, recovery and hope.   flinthillsvolunteercenter.org #AmeriCorps pawnee.org

This episode features discussion about how becoming a volunteer can help with your mental health.  Lori brings in 2 staff members from the Flint Hills Volunteer Center, Karen Paulus and  Aillene Aquino, to share stories of the numerous volunteers that have impacted others by sharing their time and talents. flinthillsvolunteercenter.org #volunteer #volunteering  #AmeriCorps

Jacob Sanderson is a brilliant man who has been working through several mental illnesses.  Hear him tell his story, and how his art is therapeutic for himself...and has impacted others. https://www.facebook.com/groups/872491950214519/?ref=share_group_link mentalandmaterialart@gmail.com #suicideprevention.  #flinthillsvolunteercenter #AmeriCorps

Many struggle during the holidays with depression, anxiety and grief.  Courtney Graby, LSCSW with Endeavor Therapeutics, and Sheri La Grange Aulich, Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist, join hosts Lori and Dave and share thoughts on how to handle the emotional challenges of the season. flinthillsvolunteercenter.com #AmeriCorps #SuicidePrevention #HolidayBlues

Celebrate Recovery is a Christian twelve-step program designed to facilitate recovery from a wide variety of troubling behavior patterns. Mick Tener was a long-time psychologist with the US Army and is currently a therapist with Andrews & Associates in Manhattan, KS.  Mick introduces us to a woman who found help through Celebrate Recovery through the University Christian Church. She tells a po...

November is National Month of the Military Family.  This PACT episode features Ashley Delehanty, the Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator with the Eastern Kansas Health Care System.  At VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System , their health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. www.va.gov/eastern-kansas-health-care #AmeriCor...

K'Lee Reynolds is one of the founders of "Homefront Heroes Ministries" based at Fort Riley, Kansas.  In this episode,  K'Lee talks about how their faith-based ministry to military spouses is a resource to help with many of the emotional challenges military families face.   https://www.homefrontheroes.org #AmeriCorps #SuicideAwareness #SuicidePrevention #FlintHillsVolunteer Cent...

 Kathy Shepard is working with a number of agencies to help bring down the number of deaths by suicide amongst our veterans.  She is Chair of the Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Subcommittee through the Governor's Behavioral Services Planning Council.  In this episode, Kathy details their work  addressing the sub-committee's goals in reducing the number of veteran related s...

Alexandra Wyman was plunged into grief when her husband died by suicide in 2020.  In this episode, Alexandra tells her story of grieving as a young mother, and how she has been able to share her experiences through public speaking, advocacy, podcasting and writing.   Her book "The Suicide Club: What To Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death" is available here:  " https://www.amazon....

Brad Starnes is a long-time educator. He and his wife, Mary, lost their son, Jeremy, to suicide in 2003.  In this episode, Brad shares his family's story of loss, recovery, faith and hope.  It's a profound interview and we're proud to offer this story for those who've lost loved ones to suicide.  RileyCountyKs.gov KDADS.ks.gov AmeriCorps.gov mcfks.org #suicideawareness #GMCF #G...

Samantha Brown is the Mental Health Liaison for the Manhattan/Ogden USD 383 school district, and is also part of the Flint HIlls Suicide Prevention Task Force.  In this episode, Samantha talks real life concerns that deal with school aged children and how school officials and faculty are working to respond to their mental health needs. #Americorps #suicideawareness #KDADS #flinthillsvolunteercente...

A Kansas Community Suicide Prevention Grant from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is intended to address the ongoing crisis of suicide in Kansas though community driven suicide prevention programs which aim to reduce and prevent suicidal behaviors through the implementation and sustainability of effective, culturally competent suicide prevention strategies and activi...

Tom Ruest is a US Army veteran and currently works as a Public Affairs Specialist at Fort Riley.  As a former soldier, Tom shares his experiences in conflict and dealing with PTSD. This episode is very revealing of the realities that many service men and women face, and how the US Army is working with soldiers in need of help. #AmeriCorps #SuicideAwareness flinthillsvolunteercenter.com Live Connec...

Opioid usage and addictions have wreaked havoc in families locally...and across the nation.  The Riley County Health Department was able to secure a grant to educate young people in the area about the dangers of opioid and fentanyl usage and myths.  RCHD Director, Julie Gibbs, and Community Health Educator, Asia Sampson, describe the work they are doing in RIley, Pottawatomie, and Geary County sch...

Amanda Hodges tells her deep, personal story of struggles with drug addiction and suicidal thoughts, and how she has been able to turn her life around.  Task Force member, Rachel Braddy, returns to the podcast to share what she has witnessed in Amanda's new life as a sober person with many hopes and goals ahead of her #BeAble  #FlintHillsVolunteerCenter beablecommunity.com #Americorps

Joseph Disberger is our guest on this episode, and here he shares how he utilized his creativity to tell his story of dealing with mental health concerns. flinthillsvolunteercenter.com #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #AmeriCorps

Suicide awareness and prevention is key to saving lives.  In Wamego, Kansas, a  student group is working toward helping their fellow schoolmates identify warning signs.  Here's a delightful and compelling interview with Keldin and Cara. flinthillsvolunteercenter.com #suicidepact #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #AmeriCorps

Every community has individuals that "fall through the cracks." The list includes people who have dealt with addictions, mental health challenges, desperation or trying to reintegrate into society after spending time in the penal system. Scott Voos of Manhattan, Kansas, saw this void and created "Be Able." In this episode, Scott describes his experiences and what lead him into...

Dantia MacDonald is a Manhattan, Kansas, resident that has suffered from severe mental illness and was on a suicidal track.  She found help.  Now, she's helping others.  Hear of her efforts through a Manhattan agency called "Morningstar" and the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).  It's a poignant tale of despair, recovery, and hope. #NAMI #AmeriCorps #SuicideAwareness...

Law enforcement officers are often the first responders to suicide threats and completions.  Riley County Police Department's Director, Kurt Moldrup, and Officer Joshua Berard, share their experiences and discuss the training and tactics that have been helpful in preventing potential suicides,  helping families who've lost loved ones, and how the officers handle their own emotions. #RCPD...

Funeral services can be challenging for those who've lost loved ones to suicide.  Melanie Nord is a pastor at First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, and also works with families and funeral homes, to bring messages of hope and faith to those that are mourning.  In this episode, Melanie shares how she constructs her messages for these services.  Melanie's video blog " Slow Spiri...

Troy Hartman is the pastor of the Rock Hills Church in Manhattan, Kansas.  In this episode of Suicide P.A.C.T., Pastor Troy shares how recklessness in his younger years led him to dark places, and how he was able to find peace through faith, and turn his life around.  It's a profound interview. “P.A.C.T.” is an acronym for “Prevention, Awareness, Compassion, Training.” It’s a collaborative ef...

The director of USO Kansas, Mark Claussen, came up with a super cool concept:  therapy dogs for those that serve in our military.  In this episode of Suicide Awareness PACT, Mark tells Lori and Dave how rescue dogs Farley and Remi, are reaching out to soldiers, and how their senses can tell if a soldier is experiencing mental health struggles. Follow both dogs on Instagram: Farley4theforces Remi4t...