Features

Longform SWMIJ Collab Peer Support Mental Health Worker Pipeline

Peer Support work serves as an innovative and vital part of mental health recovery

As behavioral health moves toward recovery-oriented models of care focused on trust-building and mutual respect, peer support work can prove to be a vital part of guiding clients through their recovery. Here are some local examples of this vital work.

Longform SWMIJ Collab Peer Support Mental Health Worker Pipeline

Apoyo entre iguales: Una parte innovadora y vital de la recuperación de la salud mental

A medida que la salud del comportamiento avanza hacia modelos de atención orientados a la recuperación centrados en la creación de confianza y el respeto mutuo, el trabajo de apoyo entre pares puede resultar una parte vital para guiar a los clientes a través de su recuperación. Aquí hay algunos ejemplos locales de este trabajo vital.

Longform SWMi Journalism Collab Mental Health Nurse Practitioners

Filling the mind-body gap: Fast-growing profession bridges mental, physical health needs

More psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners could ease the strain on an already depleted mental health care workforce. Programs throughout the state are helping increase the number of those with the dual training.

Longform SWMi Journalism Collab psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners

Cerrar la brecha mente-cuerpo: esta profesión une las necesidades de salud física y mental

Más enfermeras practicantes de salud mental psiquiátrica podrían aliviar la presión sobre una fuerza laboral de atención de salud mental ya agotada. Los programas en todo el estado están ayudando a aumentar el número de personas con capacitación dual.

Longform SWMI Journalism Collab Mental Wellness Cultural Congruency

The importance of culturally responsive mental health care and where it's offered in Kalamazoo

If people don’t have culturally responsive care options, they may not seek care and then they can’t live the lives they want to live. Here is what's happening locally to provide such care.

Longform SWMiJC Mental Wellness Cultural Congruency

La Importancia de una Atención de Salud Mental Sensible a las Diferencias Culturales

Si las personas no tienen opciones de atención culturalmente receptivas, es posible que no busquen atención y luego no puedan vivir la vida que quieren vivir. Esto es lo que está sucediendo localmente para brindar dicha atención.

Longform SWMiJC Mental Wellness Telehealth

Teletherapy is a mixed bag for clients and clinicians alike, but ultimately a useful tool

With nearly three in 10 adults in the U.S. reporting symptoms consistent with depression or anxiety disorder since April 2020, telehealth has played a role in meeting the need for mental health services. Those who use telehealth and those who provide it talk about how it is going.

Longform SWMiJC Mental Health Pipeline loan renewal

‘We can help more kids': Financial boost keeps mental health workers on the job, caring for children

Many mental health professionals earn less than their medical counterparts despite advanced degrees, and find themselves hard-pressed to pay back oppressive student loan debt, especially in lower-paying public-sector jobs in rural and underserved areas. Here are some solutions for improving the situation.

Longform SWMiJC Mental Health Pipeline Crisis

Ayuda financiera mantiene a los trabajadores de salud mental en sus puestos, atendiendo a niños

Muchos profesionales de la salud mental ganan menos que sus contrapartes médicas a pesar de los títulos avanzados, y se encuentran en apuros para pagar la opresiva deuda de los préstamos estudiantiles, especialmente en trabajos del sector público con salarios más bajos en áreas rurales y desatendidas. Aquí hay algunas soluciones para mejorar la situación.

Longform SWMIJ Collab list image burout

The people helping you avoid burnout are burnt out. That's not good for anyone.

The demand for mental health providers has always outpaced supply. This has only gotten worse over the past few years. Solutions are being explored.

Feature Story Jill Anderson

Not her father’s Rotary Club: Jill Anderson takes helm to steer through change in Battle Creek

Jill Anderson is the new Rotary Club of Battle Creek President, a post her father once held. “It’s a very different club than it used to be," says Anderson. "There’s that whole notion that Rotary is male, pale, and stale, but it’s really changing."

Feature Story Voices of Youth KZ 2023 Spring

Voices of Youth: Kalamazoo youth choose issues that inspire articles and art

The Spring 2023 Voices of Youth Kalamazoo drew 14 writers and artists. The subjects they chose included minority representation in Advanced Placement courses, challenges for high school transgender athletes, and the impact on youth mental health due to the rise in mass shootings. We'll be publishing their pieces throughout July.  

Longform VoY Kalamazoo Spring 2023

Voices of Youth: Tackling trauma, student mental health, amidst mass shootings rise

Recent mass school shootings at Oxford High School and Michigan State University have added to the angst high schoolers are feeling about a national gun violence epidemic. Even when not directly involved in a mass shooting, youth experience related anxiety and trauma. 

Longform St. Thomas Breakfast

More than eggs and bacon served at St. Thomas breakfast program in Battle Creek

Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and companionship. When free breakfast is served at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek during the summer, people come for more than just the food. Those who work or volunteer there, like Kitchen Manager Roy Hllman, do it for joy.

Feature Story Saline resident Jim Mangi is a care partner to his wife, Kathleen, who has Alzheimer's disease.

PODCAST: Building support for dementia caregiving challenges

Becoming a caregiver to a person living with dementia is a challenging process. We talked with Michigan caregivers about their struggles, their successes, and the resources and support they need to do their vital work.

Longform SUDs were a topic of discussion at the June 2023 CMHAM conference.

Opioid settlement dollars will strengthen community mental health response to opioid use disorders

Medication-assisted treatment, Narcan kits, and recovery housing are some of the programs that could be funded through opioid settlement dollars. 

Feature Story The band Flexadecibel performs at Party in the Park in 2022.

Disability Network West Michigan hosts inclusive Party in the Park on July 28

Disability Network West Michigan is making the Party in the Park on July 28 accessible in several ways, from having ASL interpreters to wheelchair-accessible seating.

Feature Story Good Batch Popcorn

Truffle popcorn inspired Kalamazoo entrepreneur to create her own Good Batch

How did the truffle respond to the popcorn's proposal? Oil marry you! Entrepreneur Kari Stolpestead officiated the marriage of popcorn and truffle oil at Can-Do Kalamazoo — and it was love at first bite.

Feature Story Narcan

BC Roundup: Narcan distribution, affirmative action, KCC Reconnect

In the world of news, our publication is part of a slow news movement. We’re your Second Wave, offering long-form, in-depth articles that are rare in today’s local news. Occasionally, we'll round up a few items that pass our desk as a 'first wave' that might not make it into a longer story. Jane Parikh shares a few Battle Creek first-wave stories here.

Feature Story Chicken House

Ice Cream Summer: Taking a lick at Chicken House on Gull Lake

A Gull Lake staple, Chicken House delights with superb food and stunning views while simultaneously enriching the community. Enjoy the first scoop on Kalamazoo County ice cream shops in our new series, Ice Cream Summer.

Battle Creek

Former local shelter transforms into lifeline for Southwest Michigan Veterans

“We are the only Veterans organization in Southwest Michigan doing what we’re doing. I like to call us a neutral spot. We don’t care what branch of the service you were in or what your discharge status is. People I’ve talked to have said it’s about time." For more On the Ground Battle Creek stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Helping Vets in Kalamazoo who were 'smoked by life'


In 2024, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness in the United States, and 68 of those were in Kalamazoo County, though local officials say they are sure that number has since increased. Many unhoused veterans don’t know there are benefits and programs that can help. Here’s how to get connected.Read the full story here. Read more stories here.