News Events

Creating a team that can provide compassionate, culturally competent care requires that diverse voices and perspectives be present at all levels. When diverse voices have a seat at the table, their lived experiences and knowledge put an organization in a much better position to stay in tune with the needs of the community.

At the heart of Alive & Thrive Wyandotte County is a simple concept: provide grassroots communities with tools, resources and support so they can build a more resilient and trauma-informed community.

In May, Alive & Thrive, a project administered by Wyandot BHN, held a virtual Mid-Year Summit to advance that work. The half-day event brought together residents, organizations and Alive & Thrive staff to further articulate plans for community projects that promote resilience in Wyandotte County—especially in communities that experience the effects of generational trauma.

On July 16, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched in Kansas and across the U.S. In June, Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill to provide funding and regulation for the hotline. 988 is specifically designed to be used in instances where a person is experiencing a behavioral health or substance use crisis.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health. We know that nearly 1 in 5 American adults will experience a mental illness in a given year. Yet for so many people, talking openly about mental health and seeking treatment still feels out of reach. No one should have to tackle the challenges of mental illness alone. This is why awareness is so important.

As much as we perhaps wish it wasn’t, stress is a natural part of life. It comes at us from nearly every angle. The pressures of work, family, finances… it can feel overwhelming. While stress may be unavoidable, that doesn’t mean we should let stress go unchecked. When stress is allowed to rule our lives, it can cause significant physical and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and heart disease.