As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it is easy to get swept up in the hustle of daily demands, gift lists, and holiday gatherings. It can quickly become overwhelming and leave us feeling drained, rather than grateful. But there is an often-untapped power in gratitude. It has the power to lift our spirits and help us see the good in the world around us.
Over the past several years, we have seen a myriad of headlines around the issues of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). But DEIB is more than just a headline or something to debate. It should be a core component of how we operate – as organizations and as communities.
Each September we mark Suicide Prevention Month. Since last September, Wyandot Behavioral Health Network has made significant strides in our efforts to prevent suicide. But far too many lives continue to be lost to suicide in our community and across the country, underscoring the work that still needs to be done.
In July, 23 individuals in Wyandotte County made visits to emergency departments due to suicide attempts. This number is troubling, as it represents a significant increase from the monthly average of 16 in the prior three months. Behind each of these visits is a person in crisis, and the reality is that these numbers reflect just a fraction of the larger mental health challenges facing our community.
When John* first came to Wyandot Center, his goal was clear: to end his reliance on Social Security and return to school. After spending years working on cars with a loved one who has since passed away, John was eager to put that knowledge and experience to work and take another step forward. John worked at an automotive shop, but he knew he wanted to do more and he was eager to take the next step in his life.
"I always wanted to go back to school," he shared.
Meet Billy—a determined man with big dreams and an even bigger heart. For the past year and a half, Billy has been working hard at a local donation center, giving his all at his job despite some tough challenges.
Billy’s road to employment hasn't been easy. When Billy first came to Wyandot Center, he says he was depressed. He wasn’t able to drive to work due to a medical condition, which meant walking more than two miles or finding rides from friends, or taking an Uber. But Billy did not let these obstacles stop him. He saw each obstacle as a chance to prove how strong he is. At the end of each workday, his mom faithfully picks him up. Billy says the support from his mom has made his employment journey a little easier.
We all drive by people sitting at intersections with signs describing their plight and asking for money. We see homeless camps in our community or on TV and see groups of homeless individuals gathering on city streets. And we may experience a range of emotions including discomfort, fear, anger, or compassion in these moments. We may feel unsure about how to help. Or we may wish they would just go away.
Over the past several years, thousands of Wyandotte County residents have been involved in the development of the county’s current Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). These residents have voiced their concerns and goals for the health and wellbeing of this vibrant community. For the first time, Wyandotte County residents have identified behavioral health as a focus area, in addition to jobs & education, health care access, violence prevention, and safe & affordable housing. I’m proud to announce that Wyandot Behavioral Health Network has been chosen as the Lead Behavioral Health Agency for the 2024-2028 CHIP.
It has been nearly two years since the three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched. As more calls begin to come in to the Lifeline, I’m proud to announce that Wyandot BHN is now up and running as a 988 call center. This means that calls to 988 that originate from a Wyandotte County caller will now be routed to our call center, which puts us in a better position to connect callers with other crisis services and support. Individuals in crisis can also reach out to 988 by text or chatting online at 988lifeline.org/chat/.
For 75 years, we have celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month in May. We use this month to raise awareness and address challenges faced by individuals living with mental health and substance use issues. While we have made significant progress in increasing awareness of mental health, there is still much work to be done. And we all have a role to play in bringing more awareness and understanding to mental health
We often talk about how recovery is a journey, not a destination. But what building blocks have to be in place for us to even take the first step on that journey? You might think about having a support system, being willing to ask for help and holding hope that recovery is possible.
All of those things are true. But what about having a roof over your head?
A few weeks ago, Wyandot BHN lost one of our own. Phil Bohlander, a long-time therapist, passed away after an accident. Phil had been a steady and reassuring force in this organization for more than 30 years, most recently as a therapist on our adult outpatient therapy team. Phil mentored me when I first joined the Wyandot family as a new therapist in 1993. And he has done the same for countless other therapists over the past three decades. His passing is a significant loss for our staff, our clients and the larger community.
Last week, Kansas City experienced an unthinkable tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of Chiefs fans had descended on downtown Kansas City to celebrate the Chiefs recent Super Bowl victory. But that joyous celebration ended in gunfire and now countless families are grieving and the city is collectively trying to process why this happened and how we move forward.
