April 7, 2025 • 15 mins
Kansas climbs 29 ranks in mental health ratings, while Pawnee Mental Health provides innovative solutions for community needs despite ongoing challenges from the lack of Medicaid expansion. CEO Mike Rezkalla discusses the organization's progress, rural outreach programs, and upcoming initiatives to improve access to critical mental health services.
· Kansas jumped from 51st to 22nd place in Mental Health America's state rankings, ranking 5th in youth services
· Despite progress, the lack of Medicaid expansion creates barriers for many Kansans who need but cannot afford mental health care
· Pawnee offers a free Agricultural Assistance Program for farmers and their families in ten Kansas counties
· Employee Assistance Programs are available to businesses for only $1 per employee per month
· Same-day access services eliminate 8-12 week wait times for mental health assessments
· Fundraising underway for a blood analyzer to improve crisis stabilization unit access for uninsured patients
· New grant will integrate primary care with behavioral health services for existing clients
· Mental health awareness training has reached over 1,000 community members
· 2023 saw the highest suicide rate on record, with a life lost every 11 minutes
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour as heardon NewsRadio KMAN and welcome
back to the GMCF Community Hourhere on NewsRadio KMAN.
And we get into segment numbertwo and we're going to get an
(00:20):
update on some of the activitiesthat are happening at Pawnee
Mental Health.
I get to do this on a moreregular basis than our listeners
do, mike.
Well, that is great, isn't?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
it.
It is great.
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Mike Rezkala is the CEO of Pawnee Mental Health.
And this is gosh.
You just celebrated your oneyear anniversary here, didn't
you?
I did, I did.
How's it feel?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
It feels great Wonderful community, wonderful
organization.
There's a huge need in thecommunity and a lot of people
who need our help.
And you came from the Northeast, came from central
Massachusetts, that's prettyNortheast.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, it is, it is Okay.
So the transition for youpersonally.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So I've always wanted to be here.
I came to the state of Kansasseveral years back and I kept
coming back and the kindness Ihave experienced here has been
fantastic.
How is it different thanMassachusetts?
I would say it's a differentlandscape, it's a different
culture.
(01:22):
Here it's flat, there's a lotof trees and hills, from a
geography perspective.
But I would say the differenceis usually around the scope of
services.
There are slightly differentmodels, but the state of Kansas
(01:43):
has been advancing in behavioralhealth.
The state of mental healthreport that Mental Health
America has released has rankedthe state of Kansas 22nd, which
is 29 ranks up.
This was in 2024.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah, because we were number 51.
51.
So yeah, and Canada wasn't evenconsidered in this.
That's right, that's right,that's true.
That's true.
Was that Puerto Rico that wasconsidered, or DC, dc, but
Kansas was at the very bottom,the very bottom, and advanced 29
(02:19):
ranks.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
You know?
Here's what is very interestingthe state of Kansas continues
to be one of the states that hasnot expanded Medicaid, and
that's a huge deal, Dave.
We have a lot of people whoneed the care and cannot afford
it, and a lot of people who arescared to go to the doctor to
seek help because they're afraidthat they would get a bill and
(02:42):
they wouldn't be able to affordit.
They're afraid that they wouldget a bill and they wouldn't be
able to afford it, and why thisis important is that their
mental health deteriorates.
People with suicidal ideations,people with complex health
conditions not only mentalhealth but also physical health
who cannot afford treatment.
They just refrain from seekingtreatment.
(03:05):
The good news is that the stateof Kansas has advanced, like I
said, 29 ranks up, but also wasranked fifth in terms of access
to youth services.
They call that in the report,that category, a flourishing
category.
So the report has 15 criteriain ranking the different states,
(03:28):
but Kansas has been makingheadways.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
One of the things and I've got a little bit more
history in Kansas than you do,no offense, but it seems like
that there has just been, maybein the last 15, 20 years, a
greater groundswell of supportfor the need for mental health
or even the concept of being, ofusing mental health.
Now that may be quite a bitdelayed than what you saw in
(03:56):
Massachusetts or anywhere elsethat you've been over the years,
and I don't know necessarilywhat to attribute that to, other
than enhancing awareness,creating greater awareness, and
then also people maybe socialmedia have been able to express
greater need for mental healthbecause you know a lot of people
(04:19):
are out there sharing theirstories, not just necessarily 10
counties.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
we serve at Pawnee we serve a 10-county area that
there has been a big commitmentto mental health and the largest
area that I see being an areaof need is access, and I worry
about access to mental health.
(04:58):
It's not all doom and gloom.
There has been good thingshappening.
I would say the certifiedcommunity behavioral health
clinic model has been a gamechanger for the state of Kansas
in terms of advancing in mentalhealth.
But a lot more work needs tohappen.
Kansas Department of Aging andDisability Services.
(05:18):
Our colleagues there have beenvery committed.
Association of Community MentalHealth Centers of Kansas has
been very committed and theother 20, all 26 community
mental health centers across thestate are committed.
Everyone is advancing the model, everyone is doing their best
and a big shout out to our teamat Pawnee Mental Health.
We have a very committed teamwho knows how to stretch a
(05:44):
dollar in this tight fundingatmosphere and they are just
very committed, kind-heartedpeople to the well-being and
advancement of care for theclients we serve.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
You know I like seeing the progress and we'll
throw this out there that I'mproud to be part of the
Foundation's board for PawneeMental Health and it's something
that has been applied in mypast.
You know receiving help andreceiving services from Pawnee
dealing with depression some.
(06:18):
You know, over 15, 20 years,that I've had some challenges
and I think that, and one of thethings that you know, I did a
video testimony.
I don't know if you've seenthat or not, but that goes back
a ways.
But being able to share thatstory is, I think, something
that I'm, you know, one of theprouder things that I have done
(06:42):
and I know that there are a lotof people that are starting to
better communicate those needs.
And you know, when you talkabout in the rural communities,
you know, and you know that's alion's share of the 10
communities that you serve IsNemaha County, one of the
communities one of the counties.
Okay, I know that that's athat's a horrific situation with
(07:05):
what happened over the last fewdays up in Nemaha County, but
there's a lot of people that arehurting there.
A lot of people hurting there.
There's a lot of people thatare hurting there.
Yeah, a lot of people hurtingthere.
But you know there's that needin a rural community.
You know the farmers there arefarmers that are struggling with
mental health issues and havingthat access in a rural
community has just got to be atremendous godsend for a lot of
(07:26):
folks.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, I would say one of the big and our hearts go to
those impacted by the recenttragedy in Seneca has been very
saddening.
You know, when it comes tofarmers, farmers are a group of
folks who are very, veryhardworking and very
self-sufficient and it can bedifficult sometimes to say I
(07:51):
want to explore this service.
I have a need for this serviceand we do have at Pawnee a
program called AgricultureAssistance Program and it offers
three free services to farmersand ranchers, their family
members and those who work forthem.
Three free services and I wouldcall it the best hidden secret
(08:15):
in the state of Kansas.
This is the only program of itskind that is available in our
10-county area.
That is available in Clay Cloud, Geary, jewell, marshall,
mitchell, park County, republic,riley and Washington counties.
We also have an employeeassistance program and for just
(08:35):
$1 per employee per month, anemployer can get an employee
assistance program.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Really Staff yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
We're actually one of the largest, if not the largest
, provider of EAP program in ourarea.
Mental health is a big deal,mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Especially in the workplace, true, true, and
that's where a lot of mentalhealth challenges originate.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
That's true.
You know, in this day and age,folks can be stressed out.
We are all human beings andthere is a need.
And you know, I would say I'veread a recent statistic that one
in every four experiencesmental health in their lifetime.
One in every four experiencesmental health in their lifetime,
one in every four individuals.
And again, I would say, therecent Mental Health America
(09:27):
report shines the light on a lotof need that the.
I would give you one one andit's one out of many statistics
that in the year of 2023, haswitnessed the highest rate of
suicide 49,000 lives lost tosuicide, and that is a life lost
(09:52):
to suicide every 11 minutes.
And that's alarming.
For access, we are, the atPawnee, are able to provide
larger access or more enhancedaccess through same-day access
(10:13):
services 1558 Hayes Drive herein Manhattan, and so folks don't
need to wait eight weeks, 12weeks, to access care and their
mental health is prioritized.
They just walk in and the modelis different from everyone else
.
They receive an assessment thesame day and they get connected
(10:37):
with other services and they getto see their therapist within
seven to 10 days.
That I would say fabulous.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Let's kind of shift course here and talk about some
upcoming events.
So, of course, grow Green MatchDay is just a couple of weeks
away.
Two weeks away from tomorrow,on the 22nd of April, that's a
big day for Pawnee and all theothers.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah, it is.
So.
On Tuesday, april 22nd, as youknow, the Greater Manhattan
Community Foundation is hostingthe 13th annual Grow Green Match
Day and as we know thateligible donations will receive
a match.
Why this is a big deal for usis because the need that we have
(11:20):
.
We are in need of funds topurchase a blood analyzer, and
here's why this is important theimpact that a blood analyzer
would have.
It would improve access to acrisis stabilization unit.
It would improve access to carefor those who cannot afford it.
(11:41):
We have generated funds andreceived grants in tune of about
$10,000.
We still need about 19 more anda lot of folks do not have the
financial means to get theirlabs done in order to be
admitted to, let's say, thecrisis stabilization unit.
A lot don't have the financialmeans in order for them to keep
(12:07):
their care on track and you know, unfortunately, with the high
rate of the uninsured, that isbecoming a challenge.
So what we're aiming to provideis buying that blood analyzer
would help us keep things ontrack.
Provide is buying that bloodanalyzer would help us keep
things on track.
Also, any additional funds thatwe receive above the $19,000
(12:29):
mark would help us also stand upour primary care program that
we're starting to stand up, andthat has been another thing that
we have been awarded recentlyand that is mainly to focus on
individuals through a clinicalintegration model, and there is
a need for supplies.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
A great asset to have , wouldn't it?
All right, so take that inconsideration for Grow Green
Match Day.
We only have just a couple ofmoments left here, mike, so
we're going to run through justa couple of quick questions.
Any other upcoming events thatyou've got in the works.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, we have a lot happening, but we have received
recently a grant to promote theintegration of primary care and
behavioral health and what thatmeans.
That it's a two-year grantaiming to enhance clinical
integration and introducingprimary care services, mainly
for the population we serve,mainly for the population we
(13:25):
serve.
It would mean we're not tryingto venture into the world of
primary care, we just want tofocus on the population we serve
.
It would also introduce apatient portal for our patients,
our clients.
It would mean that we will hirea provider, a nurse, for one
for our Manhattan one of theManhattan offices on Claflin.
So that's a big deal.
(13:48):
The other thing too we have hada mental health awareness
training grant for differenttypes of trainings through the
substance abuse and mentalhealth administration, samhsa.
We received that grant in 2023.
And our goal for year one was500 individuals to be trained
(14:09):
and we exceeded that by 539.
We trained 1,039.
And for year two, our goal is750 to train and in less than
six months we have been able totrain about 654 individuals.
That's mental health first aidtraining and for adults and
(14:31):
youth and all kinds of othertrainings.
But any individual interestedor an employer, they can contact
us at training at Pawneeorg andthey can receive more
information.
It's free training, all right,mike, always good to have you in
.
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Congratulations on a one-year mark here for being the
CEO for Pawnee, and wecertainly appreciate what you're
doing here.
Thank you, it has beenwonderful.
Mike Riscala.
With Pawnee Mental Healthjoining us, you can always find
out more about the work they doat Pawneeorg.
With Pawnee Mental Healthjoining us, you can always find
out more about the work they doat Pawneeorg and always remember
that if you know someone inneed, that 988-SUICIDE-HOTLINE
(15:08):
number is something that wealways want to stress.
We're going to take a break andwhen we come back, rick
Hernandez is here.
He's got his Manhattan FreeClinic shirt on and he's going
to tell us a little bit moreabout some of the work.
No-transcript.
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour as heardon NewsRadio KMAN and welcome
back to the GMCF Community Hourhere on NewsRadio KMAN.
And we get into segment numbertwo and we're going to get an
(00:20):
update on some of the activitiesthat are happening at Pawnee
Mental Health.
I get to do this on a moreregular basis than our listeners
do, mike.
Well, that is great, isn't?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
it.
It is great.
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Mike Rezkala is the CEO of Pawnee Mental Health.
And this is gosh.
You just celebrated your oneyear anniversary here, didn't
you?
I did, I did.
How's it feel?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
It feels great Wonderful community, wonderful
organization.
There's a huge need in thecommunity and a lot of people
who need our help.
And you came from the Northeast, came from central
Massachusetts, that's prettyNortheast.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, it is, it is Okay.
So the transition for youpersonally.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So I've always wanted to be here.
I came to the state of Kansasseveral years back and I kept
coming back and the kindness Ihave experienced here has been
fantastic.
How is it different thanMassachusetts?
I would say it's a differentlandscape, it's a different
culture.
(01:22):
Here it's flat, there's a lotof trees and hills, from a
geography perspective.
But I would say the differenceis usually around the scope of
services.
There are slightly differentmodels, but the state of Kansas
(01:43):
has been advancing in behavioralhealth.
The state of mental healthreport that Mental Health
America has released has rankedthe state of Kansas 22nd, which
is 29 ranks up.
This was in 2024.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah, because we were number 51.
51.
So yeah, and Canada wasn't evenconsidered in this.
That's right, that's right,that's true.
That's true.
Was that Puerto Rico that wasconsidered, or DC, dc, but
Kansas was at the very bottom,the very bottom, and advanced 29
(02:19):
ranks.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
You know?
Here's what is very interestingthe state of Kansas continues
to be one of the states that hasnot expanded Medicaid, and
that's a huge deal, Dave.
We have a lot of people whoneed the care and cannot afford
it, and a lot of people who arescared to go to the doctor to
seek help because they're afraidthat they would get a bill and
(02:42):
they wouldn't be able to affordit.
They're afraid that they wouldget a bill and they wouldn't be
able to afford it, and why thisis important is that their
mental health deteriorates.
People with suicidal ideations,people with complex health
conditions not only mentalhealth but also physical health
who cannot afford treatment.
They just refrain from seekingtreatment.
(03:05):
The good news is that the stateof Kansas has advanced, like I
said, 29 ranks up, but also wasranked fifth in terms of access
to youth services.
They call that in the report,that category, a flourishing
category.
So the report has 15 criteriain ranking the different states,
(03:28):
but Kansas has been makingheadways.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
One of the things and I've got a little bit more
history in Kansas than you do,no offense, but it seems like
that there has just been, maybein the last 15, 20 years, a
greater groundswell of supportfor the need for mental health
or even the concept of being, ofusing mental health.
Now that may be quite a bitdelayed than what you saw in
(03:56):
Massachusetts or anywhere elsethat you've been over the years,
and I don't know necessarilywhat to attribute that to, other
than enhancing awareness,creating greater awareness, and
then also people maybe socialmedia have been able to express
greater need for mental healthbecause you know a lot of people
(04:19):
are out there sharing theirstories, not just necessarily 10
counties.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
we serve at Pawnee we serve a 10-county area that
there has been a big commitmentto mental health and the largest
area that I see being an areaof need is access, and I worry
about access to mental health.
(04:58):
It's not all doom and gloom.
There has been good thingshappening.
I would say the certifiedcommunity behavioral health
clinic model has been a gamechanger for the state of Kansas
in terms of advancing in mentalhealth.
But a lot more work needs tohappen.
Kansas Department of Aging andDisability Services.
(05:18):
Our colleagues there have beenvery committed.
Association of Community MentalHealth Centers of Kansas has
been very committed and theother 20, all 26 community
mental health centers across thestate are committed.
Everyone is advancing the model, everyone is doing their best
and a big shout out to our teamat Pawnee Mental Health.
We have a very committed teamwho knows how to stretch a
(05:44):
dollar in this tight fundingatmosphere and they are just
very committed, kind-heartedpeople to the well-being and
advancement of care for theclients we serve.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
You know I like seeing the progress and we'll
throw this out there that I'mproud to be part of the
Foundation's board for PawneeMental Health and it's something
that has been applied in mypast.
You know receiving help andreceiving services from Pawnee
dealing with depression some.
(06:18):
You know, over 15, 20 years,that I've had some challenges
and I think that, and one of thethings that you know, I did a
video testimony.
I don't know if you've seenthat or not, but that goes back
a ways.
But being able to share thatstory is, I think, something
that I'm, you know, one of theprouder things that I have done
(06:42):
and I know that there are a lotof people that are starting to
better communicate those needs.
And you know, when you talkabout in the rural communities,
you know, and you know that's alion's share of the 10
communities that you serve IsNemaha County, one of the
communities one of the counties.
Okay, I know that that's athat's a horrific situation with
(07:05):
what happened over the last fewdays up in Nemaha County, but
there's a lot of people that arehurting there.
A lot of people hurting there.
There's a lot of people thatare hurting there.
Yeah, a lot of people hurtingthere.
But you know there's that needin a rural community.
You know the farmers there arefarmers that are struggling with
mental health issues and havingthat access in a rural
community has just got to be atremendous godsend for a lot of
(07:26):
folks.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, I would say one of the big and our hearts go to
those impacted by the recenttragedy in Seneca has been very
saddening.
You know, when it comes tofarmers, farmers are a group of
folks who are very, veryhardworking and very
self-sufficient and it can bedifficult sometimes to say I
(07:51):
want to explore this service.
I have a need for this serviceand we do have at Pawnee a
program called AgricultureAssistance Program and it offers
three free services to farmersand ranchers, their family
members and those who work forthem.
Three free services and I wouldcall it the best hidden secret
(08:15):
in the state of Kansas.
This is the only program of itskind that is available in our
10-county area.
That is available in Clay Cloud, Geary, jewell, marshall,
mitchell, park County, republic,riley and Washington counties.
We also have an employeeassistance program and for just
(08:35):
$1 per employee per month, anemployer can get an employee
assistance program.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Really Staff yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
We're actually one of the largest, if not the largest
, provider of EAP program in ourarea.
Mental health is a big deal,mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Especially in the workplace, true, true, and
that's where a lot of mentalhealth challenges originate.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
That's true.
You know, in this day and age,folks can be stressed out.
We are all human beings andthere is a need.
And you know, I would say I'veread a recent statistic that one
in every four experiencesmental health in their lifetime.
One in every four experiencesmental health in their lifetime,
one in every four individuals.
And again, I would say, therecent Mental Health America
(09:27):
report shines the light on a lotof need that the.
I would give you one one andit's one out of many statistics
that in the year of 2023, haswitnessed the highest rate of
suicide 49,000 lives lost tosuicide, and that is a life lost
(09:52):
to suicide every 11 minutes.
And that's alarming.
For access, we are, the atPawnee, are able to provide
larger access or more enhancedaccess through same-day access
(10:13):
services 1558 Hayes Drive herein Manhattan, and so folks don't
need to wait eight weeks, 12weeks, to access care and their
mental health is prioritized.
They just walk in and the modelis different from everyone else
.
They receive an assessment thesame day and they get connected
(10:37):
with other services and they getto see their therapist within
seven to 10 days.
That I would say fabulous.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Let's kind of shift course here and talk about some
upcoming events.
So, of course, grow Green MatchDay is just a couple of weeks
away.
Two weeks away from tomorrow,on the 22nd of April, that's a
big day for Pawnee and all theothers.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah, it is.
So.
On Tuesday, april 22nd, as youknow, the Greater Manhattan
Community Foundation is hostingthe 13th annual Grow Green Match
Day and as we know thateligible donations will receive
a match.
Why this is a big deal for usis because the need that we have
(11:20):
.
We are in need of funds topurchase a blood analyzer, and
here's why this is important theimpact that a blood analyzer
would have.
It would improve access to acrisis stabilization unit.
It would improve access to carefor those who cannot afford it.
(11:41):
We have generated funds andreceived grants in tune of about
$10,000.
We still need about 19 more anda lot of folks do not have the
financial means to get theirlabs done in order to be
admitted to, let's say, thecrisis stabilization unit.
A lot don't have the financialmeans in order for them to keep
(12:07):
their care on track and you know, unfortunately, with the high
rate of the uninsured, that isbecoming a challenge.
So what we're aiming to provideis buying that blood analyzer
would help us keep things ontrack.
Provide is buying that bloodanalyzer would help us keep
things on track.
Also, any additional funds thatwe receive above the $19,000
(12:29):
mark would help us also stand upour primary care program that
we're starting to stand up, andthat has been another thing that
we have been awarded recentlyand that is mainly to focus on
individuals through a clinicalintegration model, and there is
a need for supplies.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
A great asset to have , wouldn't it?
All right, so take that inconsideration for Grow Green
Match Day.
We only have just a couple ofmoments left here, mike, so
we're going to run through justa couple of quick questions.
Any other upcoming events thatyou've got in the works.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, we have a lot happening, but we have received
recently a grant to promote theintegration of primary care and
behavioral health and what thatmeans.
That it's a two-year grantaiming to enhance clinical
integration and introducingprimary care services, mainly
for the population we serve,mainly for the population we
(13:25):
serve.
It would mean we're not tryingto venture into the world of
primary care, we just want tofocus on the population we serve
.
It would also introduce apatient portal for our patients,
our clients.
It would mean that we will hirea provider, a nurse, for one
for our Manhattan one of theManhattan offices on Claflin.
So that's a big deal.
(13:48):
The other thing too we have hada mental health awareness
training grant for differenttypes of trainings through the
substance abuse and mentalhealth administration, samhsa.
We received that grant in 2023.
And our goal for year one was500 individuals to be trained
(14:09):
and we exceeded that by 539.
We trained 1,039.
And for year two, our goal is750 to train and in less than
six months we have been able totrain about 654 individuals.
That's mental health first aidtraining and for adults and
(14:31):
youth and all kinds of othertrainings.
But any individual interestedor an employer, they can contact
us at training at Pawneeorg andthey can receive more
information.
It's free training, all right,mike, always good to have you in
.
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Congratulations on a one-year mark here for being the
CEO for Pawnee, and wecertainly appreciate what you're
doing here.
Thank you, it has beenwonderful.
Mike Riscala.
With Pawnee Mental Healthjoining us, you can always find
out more about the work they doat Pawneeorg.
With Pawnee Mental Healthjoining us, you can always find
out more about the work they doat Pawneeorg and always remember
that if you know someone inneed, that 988-SUICIDE-HOTLINE
(15:08):
number is something that wealways want to stress.
We're going to take a break andwhen we come back, rick
Hernandez is here.
He's got his Manhattan FreeClinic shirt on and he's going
to tell us a little bit moreabout some of the work.
No-transcript.
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Intentionally Disturbing
Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.