Alive and Well STL

Meet Stacy and Heather

Producer, Jade Harrell sitting in for Bethany in the studio with Reverend Rice, Pastor of New Horizon Christian Church and founding member of the Bridges to Care and Recovery program, along with Rose Jackson-Beavers, Community Connector Project Manager for Bridges. So much of what we talk about with Alive and Well shows us how important faith communities are to our community’s well being.

Before we get started, we want to highlight some of the work that the Behavioral Health Network does here in St. Louis called “Bridges to Care and Recovery”. Bridges views faith communities as an integral part of the mental health response of our community. The program works with churches in St. Louis to help their pastors and lay leaders better understand mental illness and how to respond to congregants in need. They also help connect those experiencing mental health crises to the right types of resources. Bridges works to make faith communities spaces that are supportive of members living with mental illness and their family members and caregivers.

In this episode discover:

How the Bridges to Care and Recovery program started here in St. Louis.

The services that are offered to members of the churches Rev. Rice and Rose work with.

After a church goes through the Bridges program, what changes its congregant’s notice.

What goes into making a church a “Bridges church”.

Much of Reverend Rice’s life has been devoted to advocacy in our community and working to make it a less violence and healthier place to live. He shares how trauma and stress impacts the people and faith community.

Why it is so important to have our faith communities informed about mental health-what it looks like, how it is treated, and how it affects families and caregivers.

What makes Reverend Rice so passionate about doing this work with churches.

Thank you everyone for joining us for another episode of Alive and Well STL. We look forward to speaking with you next week.

For more information about Alive and Well STL follow us on Twitter @aliveandwellstl, Facebook or visit us online at aliveandwellstl.com.

We’ll be back next week. Thanks for listening!

Producer Jade Harrell (sitting in for Bethany Johnson-Javois) with Pat McGonigle, anchor for KSDK Channel 5 and Sergeant Sally Panzer from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Through their work, as well as their life experiences, they have a unique perspective on what our region needs to become Alive and Well.

Mr. McGonigle and Sgt. Panzer were brought together at the McAtee Awards, of which Mr. McGonigle was the host. These awards, given by Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, honor law enforcement officers whose compassion and dedication make a significant difference in the lives of persons living with mental illness.

Sgt. Panzer was honored twice this year for two separate situations with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, both of which had positive outcomes. She clearly has a proven track record of success -- as an officer -- of helping people living with mental illness get connected to care they need to become well.

As host for the second year of the Mental Health America McAtee Awards, Mr. McGonigle has become a champion for officers who help facilitate positive outcomes for families and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Mr. McGonigle has seen first-hand the difference a well-trained, compassionate officer can have in the life of a family member of someone living with mental illness.

Surprised to hear a police officer and a television news anchor talking about mental illness? Discover how the two worlds became involved in this topic.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Sgt. Panzer's role as a law enforcement officer when responding to someone in a mental health crisis.

Share Mr. McGonigle's story about having law enforcement responding to calls in his home.

The impact that the officers made when interacting with his family member living with a mental illness.

How we as a community can support the ability of law enforcement to respond effectively to people with mental illness.

Pat's recommendation to families who may be going through this difficult time.

Why having a family member living with a mental illness can be difficult without having a support system in place.

Sgt. Panzer's suggestions for us who may find ourselves in a situation with a family member in crisis and the police become involved.

Thank you everyone for joining us for another episode of Alive and Well STL. We look forward to speaking with you next week.

For more information about Alive and Well STL follow us on Twitter @aliveandwellstl or visit us online at aliveandwellstl.com.

We’ll be back next week. Thanks for listening!

Orvin Kimbrough, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis, works to provide resources to those most in need in our community. He emphasizes the importance of fostering good coping skills in children and fostering a connection between people through small acts of kindness.

Joyce Johnston and Sandra Hartge of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) of St. Louis speak about the trauma a mental illness diagnosis can have on an entire family and the chronic worry that may result. They emphasize self-care for family members of a person with mental illness and discuss how gaining knowledge about treatment and best practices can improve relationships between family members.

Pediatrician and activist Dr. Huldah Blamoville seeks to get parents involved in their children's lives in order to help young people be active and productive in their community. She shares her worldwide experiences and her outlook for children, parents and St. Louis.

Tricia Rolan-Hamilton and Celeste Smith of the Magdalene House founded a home where women who have suffered serious trauma can recover in a safe and supportive community. They provide education, job training, and love so that women graduate after two years with the ability to be self-sufficient and successful.

African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and this disparity has grown deeper over time. Angela Clabon, CEO of Myrtle Davis Hilliard Comprehensive Health Centers, and Dale Wrigley, Director of Engagement & Advocacy with Saint Louis Effort for AIDS, encourage medical providers to make HIV testing a standard of care so that patients can know their status. They invite all people to get tested in order for treatment to begin early, especially since treatment has become more effective in recent years.

Dr. Kira Banks, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Saint Louis University, examines how to dismantle racism and, in the meantime, how to help people who are experiencing it cope with it and avoid its negative effects. She speaks about the effects of racism as a chronic stresser and how to achieve emotional emancipation through discussion and social support.

Frankie Muse Freeman, age 98, shares her story of civil rights activism and how she became a lawyer in a deeply segregated society. She was a key part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and helped enact progress through the Civil Rights Commission.

Sister Mary Antona Ebo speaks about her inspiration for civil rights activism and reflects on the meaning of her walk in Selma 50 years ago. She stresses the importance of daily prayer and bringing God into our homes and hearts.

Rachel Deffenbaugh, Urban Farm Manager at Gateway Greening, and Connie Fisher, Director of Mental Health Promotion at Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, discuss how gardening can be integrated into self-care. They share how a garden can be a place where people enjoy work and exercise, connect with their community through sharing food and flowers, and be spiritually mindful of the life they are living.

The loss of a child is considered one of the most traumatic experiences, regardless of a child’s age. Debbie Cochran, Executive Director of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, and Teresa Brassfield, Registered Nurse and Share Coordinator at DePaul Hospital, speak about how loved ones can support a family grieving the loss of an infant. They also discuss the many resources that are available for grieving St. Louis families.

Chris Krehmeyer, President and CEO of Beyond Housing and host of the local weekly talk show, “Going Beyond,” shares what makes up a resilient community and what you can do to make your neighborhood stronger, more resilient and more trauma-informed. He recognizes the importance of knowing your neighbors and utilizing the principles of empowerment, transparency, respect, and collaboration when engaging in community development.

Alive and Well STL ambassadors speak about how trauma and toxic stress affect us emotionally and physically. They discuss a case study of a 51-year-old man who has been to the Emergency Room four times in the last two months because of chest pain. He has suffered trauma throughout his life and the ambassadors evaluate how this is affecting his physical well-being.

Alive and Well STL ambassadors share how they became involved and why they share the message. They also analyze a case study about a man leaving prison and re-entering the community after serving 2 years. The ambassadors evaluate the options to help him live safely and with opportunities.

At an event for Alive and Well STL ambassadors Jennifer Brinkmann of the Regional Health Commission encourages community members to engage by visiting AliveandWellSTL.com. Rosetta Keeton, also RHC staff, discusses assumptions and why we should let people tell their own story. Ambassador Tinley speaks about how we can each help our community become more trauma-informed.

Dr. Johnetta Craig, Chief Medical Officer at Family Care Health Centers, and Rosetta Keeton, Patient Access Consultant at the St. Louis Regional Health Commission and also a long-time patient of Dr. Craig’s, speak about the confidence and wellbeing that comes with acquiring health insurance and, in turn, eliminating stress. They discuss how the recent policy developments in insurance allow patients to secure reasonably priced treatment and allow doctors to help patients to their maximum capacity.

Our host Bethany Johnson-Javois in on site at the first Alive and Well STL Ambassador Open House. Ambassadors Erin and Danny present the Bonfyre app, through which community members can have conversations about trauma and its effects. Other ambassadors spoke of a group discussion about a case study in which a student is continually acting out in class, exhibiting trauma-related behavioral issues.

Connie Fisher, Director of Mental Health Promotion at Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, and Riisa Easley, Project Director at St. Louis Regional System of Care, give advice for moving past negativity and gaining and sharing hope. They recommend practicing acceptance, starting the day with positivity, and being honest about pain so you can make a difference in your health.