Be Mindful

By Ashley Luthans Mental health advocates gathered Friday for a summit on adverse childhood experiences organized by the St. Joseph Health Department. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic incidents that happen to kids. The event, held at Missouri Western State University, invited attendees to learn about the impact of ACEs on mental and physical

By Ashley Luthans With so much negativity going around, Wednesday offered a special chance for people to be nice. Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day, reminding people to be good to others. On Wednesday, members of Missouri Western’s Student Government Association handed out pins to recognize being kind. SGA member Leo Newman said he believes

By Kendra Simpson Sisters of Solace is working to change the stigma about addiction and its rehabilitation process through their “Recovery 101” sessions. Every Thursday in October, the nonprofit invites the public to join the conversation about how to best support those in rehabilitation. “We realized that so many people in the community need a

By Charles Christian The hardest step to take is often the first step, and that is true when it comes to getting therapy. Therapists like Jeff Rabideaux and Emily Bowman at Fisher Counseling Services in St. Joseph said that the “person-centered” approach used my most counselors today can help overcome a client’s reluctance or hesitation.

By Kyle Schmidt A $125,000 grant will target youth substance abuse issues in Andrew County. Money from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program will be coming to the Andrew County Health and Safety Coalition during the next five years for programs to prevent substance abuse in young people.

By Charles Christian If you find yourself with less energy and motivation this time of year, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder. The syndrome, known as “SAD,” occurs when a person experiences symptoms of depression that are specifically brought on by seasonal change. Deidre Hunter, who directs counseling care at the Family Guidance Center,

By Ashley Luthans Since 2003, Sept. 10 has been recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide is an international problem, claiming the lives of over 700,000 people every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2022, equaling one death every

By Leah Rainwater Stress is something that comes naturally to human beings, and with school starting in less than a week, anxiety levels are high for many. Aug. 15 is National Relaxation Day, which serves as a chance to remind us to slow down, unwind and take a breather. Estella Stufflebean is an incoming second

By Kyle Schmidt Benedictine Living Community hosted a special type of first aid class recently, helping people identify mental health crises and understand how to respond. Laney Partin, a mental health training specialist with Preferred Family Health, talked about the similarities between the class and CPR training. “We talk about how mental health first aid

By Kyle Schmidt Many go through medical trainings for skills like CPR, but learning how to handle mental health emergencies is vital as well, which is why a Mental Health First Aid workshop is coming to St. Joseph next week to help teach residents what to do in crises. Benedictine Living Community is teaming up

By Ashley Luthans While mental health can create struggles and be a difficult topic for anyone to discuss, this is especially true for men, who have a suicide rate that is four times higher than women, statistics show. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and the National Institute for Mental Health found that along

By Kendra Simpson Community Missions celebrated the end of Mental Health Awareness Month with a free pancake breakfast complete with coffee, oatmeal and an inspirational message. The organization wanted to help St. Joseph’s homeless residents by providing a warm meal and a conversation about their mental health. “If we can’t fix mental health, there’s a

By Kyle Schmidt Stepping out of the workplace and onto a beach — or even just into a pair of slippers — can help refresh your headspace and improve your mental health. Drew Fisher, a counselor with Fisher Counseling Services, spoke about the importance of taking breaks for self-care and vacations when possible. “Just life

By Kyle Schmidt When a child is abused, whether it be physical, sexual or emotional, it’s up to the community to provide resources to help them navigate the trauma. “We like to say kids are resilient,” said Melissa Birdsell, executive director at Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center. “I like to say kids are resilient

By Kyle Schmidt In an age where tragedy is only a click away, navigating constant negativity can take a toll on mental health. Seeing news and media surrounding wars, protests, death and more can be especially taxing for young people. “I think it’s important that we just remember to stay positive,” said Samantha Davis, a

By Kyle Schmidt Money can’t always buy happiness, but navigating the high costs of bills, groceries and more can take a serious toll on mental health. Drew Fisher with Fisher Counseling Services said he recognizes the stress that money can bring to people’s lives. “What I will say is that’s one of the top five

By Jenna Wilson Community members rallied against fentanyl Tuesday, enjoying games and food while sharing resources and learning about how to protect young people from drugs. The City of St. Joseph Health Department, Buchanan County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and other local agencies came together to help host the second annual “Make Some Noise”

By Kyle Schmidt Pain not only takes a toll on the body, it also can hurt mental health. Relieving physical symptoms through alternative practices can bring about peace of mind as well, said Dr. James Schoonover of Thrive Family Chiropractic. “What we’re trying to do is get to the root cause of what they’re coming

By Kyle Schmidt Your mental health isn’t affected only by what’s on your mind, it also responds to what you put in your mouth. A healthy diet is key for both physical and mental fitness, said Danna Taylor-Dryer, a CDM director of food and nutrition at ClearSky Rehabilitation. “Lack of vitamins and minerals lead to

By Marcus Clem With stigmas common about those who struggle with a psychiatric disorder, especially among people of color and patients of a low socioeconomic background, a panel discussion is set to combat misinformation. The event titled “Can You See Me? Creating a Common Language is the Recipe to End Stereotypes” will be held at

By Kyle Schmidt Drugs are a prevalent issue in St. Joseph, and while attention is generally on those who are struggling with addiction, drug use affects more than just them — it can also change the lives of friends and family. What goes on behind closed doors when living with addicts is something that can

By Kyle Schmidt While love is in the air for many right now, for some Valentine’s Day is more likely to bring feelings of loneliness and depression. For those who are single, seeing celebrations of couples in stores, on social media and just about everywhere else at this time of year can take a toll

By Kyle Schmidt It’s the job of law enforcement officers to protect the community. But what about themselves? Police, fire and emergency crews often are the first on the scene to help someone in crisis, and dealing with such trauma can take a toll on their mental health. That’s why the St. Joseph Police Department