Hear Me See Me
WIBW is taking a stand for the mental health of our community. Kansas ranks last in the nation for mental healthcare.
Episodes
Our men and women who serve in the military have many experiences that can put a strain on mental health.
In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Christina Menager, who leads the VA Eastern Kansas Health System Suicide Prevention Program, shares how veteran’s experiences - both inside and outside deployment - can impact them throughout their lives and put them at risk for mental health struggles.
Dr. Menager d...
Many people know Dave Lewis from his time on Manhattan radio and as an announcer for Kansas State University.
In this conversation, Dave opens up about the loss of his first wife to breast cancer, and his struggles coping with both the loss and incidents from his youth. He also shares how his profession in the public eye added to the struggles.
Mental illness doesn't only affect the person living with it. It impacts everyone around them.
Susan Reynolds learned that when her daughter suffered a psychotic break and was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder.
Susan and her family didn't know what to do, and didn't know where to turn for information. She shares their journey in this emotional conversation, including how she now pays forward to provi...
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 c...
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 per...
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...
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 Tope...
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 De...
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.
The Menninger Clinic broke new ground in psychiatric care when it was founded 100 years ago in Topeka, Kan. Now based in Houston, current CEO Armando Colombo sat down with former CEO Dr. Walt Menninger, whose father, uncle and grandfather founded the clinic.
Hear what they say about the history of mental health care, its present state, and where we go from here.
We often let you know that the 988 Lifeline is there 24/7 if you need help. But what happens when you call the number? And who should call?
Jared Auten, crisis communications manager with HealthSource, takes us through it step by step, and reveals the very personal motivation behind his work.
AJ Wilkerson firmly believes laughter is the best medicine, and experiencing joy with others is part of the healing.
AJ lives with autism, social anxiety, ADHD and depressive tendencies. In this candid interview, he discusses his later-in-life diagnosis, and how getting out of his comfort zone to do standup comedy helps him cope.
What law enforcement and first responders see on the job will change how they view the world. That's why Tony Mattivi said he worked to ensure mental wellness programs remained a priority when he stepped in as director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
In this conversation, he shares the surprising revelation he experienced in implementing one new measure - and he brings along a special guest who made us ...
Food can feed our bodies, minds and souls. Chef Adam VanDonge, a 2023 James Beard semifinalist and owner of The White Linen in downtown Topeka, uses creating and serving food as an outlet for his mental health.
In this conversation, he shares how he copes with anxiety and depression, and how he's learned to put social media in proper perspective.
You likely spend more waking hours with your co-workers than you do with your family.
In this candid conversation, Cody Foster, co-founder of Topeka-based Advisors Excel, shares what led him to make mental health support a priority in his workplace, the surprising lessons he's learned, and why it makes sense - as a human and as a business person.
You've heard of CPR and direct pressure for physical first aid response, but what about becoming a first responder for mental health?
Mikki Burcher with Topeka's Valeo Behavioral Health shares the basics of Mental Health First Aid, and why the personal reason she's so passionate about sharing the knowledge.
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com