Hear Me See Me

Suicide is a unique concern in our rural communities. The National Rural Health Association reported in 2024 that farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

Nick Hasenkamp knows that firsthand. He lost his father to suicide in 2010. Nick witnessed the struggles his father experienced as he farmed near Corning, Kan.

Now, Nick talks about his family's experience in hopes of convincing others to speak up, and to present a whole picture of who his father was.

Giving people access close to home can be a key to improving mental health.

An example of that is SENT Topeka, a non-profit based in a southeast Topeka neighborhood once known for crime and poverty. Tricia Sublet, LSCSW, SENT's mental health director, explains the organization realized the need for mental health services and details the difference it's made.

The holistic approach that sees the value of each person is an investment many communities could model.

Kids spend a lot of their waking hours in classrooms, and there's now a greater realization of the role schools can play in their mental health.

In this Hear me. See me. podcast, Trish Backman, school mental health coordinator for the Kansas Dept. of Education, talks about her work to support schools and educators so they know how to reach out to students. She said that includes new suicide prevention trainings, plans and programs that schools have implemented in recent years.

Find out what's making a difference, and why obstacles remain.

Adam Cobuluis grew up in a family that used, made and sold drugs. It led him to addiction and incarceration.

Today, he's a peer mentor for an organization that helps formerly incarcerated people reenter society. His is a story of recovery, resilience - and the power of second chances.

Jim Crosby served active duty and with the Kansas National Guard.

He said the military does a great job training people to deploy, but wasn't so aware when it came to preparing them to transition back to civilian life.

In this conversation, he shares his experiences, and how a personal tragedy led to him leading the group Together for Veterans AND Morris County.

He just needed someone to believe in him.

Gordon Smith said a desire to fit in led to bad choices and, eventually, prison. He said it wasn't until key people looked deeper and discovered he was living with mental illness that he was able to move forward.

Gordon shares his story of fighting back to overcome addiction, reignite his passion for education, and, today, giving back as a counselor and director at Topeka-based Mirror, Inc.

Whit Downing’s first memory of a mental health struggle is from kindergarten.

Since then, she’s been diagnosed with autism, anxiety, depression and PTSD. It’s taken her through cycles of isolation and suicidal ideation.

Here, Whit shares her journey, and how finding professional help and building a support system have her educating and advocating through a job with the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities.

You CAN gain skills to help you better navigate challenges. Brad Chapin, clinical services director with Topeka's Stormont Vail Behavioral Health, shares his lessons for developing resiliency at any age.

He also speaks publicly for the first time about a time in his teens, and how his career marks a full-circle moment. 

Gayla Kelly knew her son Logan struggled, but, as long as he answered her calls and texts, he'd be okay.

A message in Feburary 2024 went unanswered. A week later, Logan, 29, was found and the news confirmed: he had died by suicide.

Gayla now honors Logan by encouraging acts of kindness, in hopes of reaching someone when they might need it most. Help is out there, and with it, she says, comes hope.

When her younger brother died by suicide in 2010, Alicia Walker said it took her a long time to find her purpose.

Eight years later, it led her and her family to found HEARTS, Helping Empower Adolescents Reject Thoughts of Suicide.

In this conversation, she shares her journey and HEARTS’ unique approach to helping young people see their value and build resilience.