Kind-hearted and charming, Levi Siekas loved to catch frogs as a boy and do flips off the dock.

Described as a boy in motion, he was active in sports, excelled in school and enjoyed many friends. He took his life on Nov. 7, 2017, at his home. He was 15. His family, his friends, his grandparents -- no one saw it coming.

His grandparents, Sharon and Dave Siekas, said their emotions were on a rollercoaster, but time is a healer. Listen to an excerpt of their interview with Managing Editor Renee Richardson.

Host: Renee Richardson

Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Sharon and Dave Siekas

#BDReachesOut

The ills of social media and smartphone use have been harped upon ad nauseum -- often in some kind of anecdote picturing a bunch of teens around a table, noses firmly pressed into their phones, ignoring each other and oblivious to the world around them.

It can be a little disingenuous, but there is truth to the analogy -- even if the truth is more abstract than literal. While on the surface the use of technology may seem social and fulfilling, the long-term effects of constant smartphone (and by virtue of that, social media) use are little understood, said Jack Hinrichs, a licensed therapist based out of New Brighton and the director of education and training for Nystrom & Associates LTD.

Though, he noted, the initial prognosis is bleak.

As part of our Stop Suicide Series, listen as Brainerd Dispatch reporter Gabe Lagarde interviews Hinrichs on adolescent mental health and how social media and smartphone use plays a role.

Host: Gabe Lagarde

Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guest: Jack Hinrichs

#BDReachesOut

The ills of social media and smartphone use have been harped upon ad nauseum -- often in some kind of anecdote picturing a bunch of teens around a table, noses firmly pressed into their phones, ignoring each other and oblivious to the world around them.

It can be a little disingenuous, but there is truth to the analogy -- even if the truth is more abstract than literal. While on the surface the use of technology may seem social and fulfilling, the long-term effects of constant smartphone (and by virtue of that, social media) use are little understood, said Jack Hinrichs, a licensed therapist based out of New Brighton and the director of education and training for Nystrom & Associates LTD.

Though, he noted, the initial prognosis is bleak.

As part of our Stop Suicide Series, listen as Brainerd Dispatch reporter Gabe Lagarde interviews Hinrichs on adolescent mental health and how social media and smartphone use plays a role.

Host: Gabe Lagarde

Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guest: Jack Hinrichs

#BDReachesOut

Those dealing with depression or who have suicidal thoughts often feel alone, unhappy and hopeless, but Mary Marana wants them to know help is just a phone call away.

Marana is the executive director of the Baxter-based Crisis Line and Referral Service, a 24-hour community lifeline allowing the depressed or suicidal to call for help anonymously.

As part of its Stop Suicide series, the Brainerd Dispatch sat down with Marana to discuss the resource turning 30 years old this year.

Host: Frank Lee

Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guest: Mary Marana

#BDReachesOut

"I think that God put Noah and I on this earth and he made us friends to impact as many lives as possible." - Noah Ebinger

As part of its Stop Suicide series, the Brainerd Dispatch sat down with Brainerd High School juniors Noah Sundberg and Noah Ebinger to discuss their newly formed nonprofit, The Lighthouse Project. Created in memory of BHS student Jake Haapajoki, who took his own life last month, the ambitious undertaking seeks to change the culture among the pair's high school classmates and the community at large.

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Noah Sundberg, Noah Ebinger

 #BDReachesOut

It’s a topic no one wants to talk about until they are forced to. Perhaps now is the time to change that.

The Brainerd lakes area has been no stranger to deaths by suicides recently. The victims are young children, teenagers, sons, daughters, husbands, fathers, neighbors.

The deaths leave families asking, “Why?”

In this series, the Brainerd Dispatch will explore the issue through stories with family members and friends who have lost loved ones, those suffering through depression who have contemplated suicide, what leads some down such a desperate road and how community members live with the aftermath of such tragedy.

#BDReachesOut

Most Brainerd Dispatch readers are likely familiar with "Her Voice," the quarterly magazine accompanying the newspaper for 15 years. The magazine for women, by women, celebrates its anniversary with fresh vision and a brand new look in 2018.

Formed in the wake of magazine editor Meg Douglas' retirement, the reigning content team -- Lisa Henry, Sarah Herron and DeLynn Howard -- shared what inspires them as they put together one of the Dispatch's most enduring publications. How will these women make their mark? And what's in it for Brainerd lakes area women and those who love them as the magazine looks toward its future?

Find out on this episode of the DispatchCast!

Producer/Host: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Lisa Henry, Sarah Herron and DeLynn Howard of "Her Voice"

Most Brainerd Dispatch readers are likely familiar with "Her Voice," the quarterly magazine accompanying the newspaper for 15 years. The magazine for women, by women, celebrates its anniversary with fresh vision and a brand new look in 2018.

Formed in the wake of magazine editor Meg Douglas' retirement, the reigning content team -- Lisa Henry, Sarah Herron and DeLynn Howard -- shared what inspires them as they put together one of the Dispatch's most enduring publications. How will these women make their mark? And what's in it for Brainerd lakes area women and those who love them as the magazine looks toward its future?

Find out on this episode of the DispatchCast!

Producer/Host: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Lisa Henry, Sarah Herron and DeLynn Howard of "Her Voice"

In January, Brainerd High School basketball coach Scott Stanfield and his entire staff announced their intentions to resign at the end of the basketball season. The coach cited ongoing tension with some parents over play time and other coaching decisions as the reason he intended to leave the post. He told the Brainerd Dispatch these tense moments made his job as a high school basketball coach more difficult than his previous profession as a police officer.

Stanfield's resignation resonated with many people across high school athletics and beyond, making the story go viral. But as the dust settles, what will the Brainerd School District do to prevent these types of issues for its new coaching staff, and for other coaches who are feeling the same kinds of pressures? What can be done to improve the atmosphere for the kids involved in high school sports?

Dispatch sports guys Mike Bialka and Jeremy Millsop sit down with Charlie Campbell, activities director for the Brainerd School District, to learn more about the district's reaction to the situation and its plan moving forward.

Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Hosts: Mike Bialka and Jeremy Millsop

Guest: Charlie Campbell