Hear Me See Me

What is it like to grow up with a famous mother who's also publicly and privately battling mental illness?

Actor Sean Astin opens up about his life in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast.

The 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Stranger Things' star shares how he reconciled experiencing physical and emotional abuse from his mother, actress Patty Duke, with the love and support he also felt from her.

He also reflects on the understanding of her diagnosis with bipolar disorder that makes him passionate about continuing his mother's advocacy, and appreciate the gifts he says she gave him.

Taking care of an aging parent or loved one can be rewarding, but also can take its toll.

Michele Dillon and Rebecca Holmes from Topeka's Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging look at some of the struggles caregivers might fee, .and also why you shouldn't feel you have to go it alone.

How do you react when you're faced with life-altering news?

Matt Hay was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF) when he was in college. NF is a genetic condition causing tumors to grow on your nerves. In Matt's case, he was told a tumor on his auditory nerve would take away his hearing.

He shares the journey that followed in his book "Soundtrack of Silence,"using music to guide lessons learned. What songs would you want to keep in your head if your world would soon go silent?

The school year is winding down. But parents, take note: stress doesn’t end for kids once summer vacation arrives.

We’re giving you tools for both experiences in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast.
School counselors Mallory Jacobs with Topeka Public Schools and Nick Brummet with Clay Center Community Schools offer insights into what’s taking a toll on mental health of young people, and why summer brings its own set of concerns.

They offer signs to watch for that could indicate your child is struggling, and practical advice to connect, communicate and support.

We've seen athletes at the highest levels struggle under pressure.

It's something Dr. Anne Weese works with at the college level as director of mental wellness and sports psychology for Kansas State University Athletics.

In this Hear me. See me. podcast, she explains how stress and pressure impact us mentally and physically, and why it's an extra challenge for young people.

She also shares strategies for the playing field that we all can use in the workplace, too.

Rachelle Coe launched “Wild Haven” specifically to reach women in rural areas. She says the farm and ranch life can be uniquely demanding for women, and she wants to help them foster connections, rather than feel isolated.

Rachelle shares what led her to this mission on the Hear me. See me. podcast.

Words have power to make you think and help you heal.

Poet and spoken word artist Matt Spezia shares how he uses words to help himself and others in this Hear me. See me. episode.

Matt is a multi-national award winning artist, who often visits mental health-related themes in his work. In March, he'll present for a second time at Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Kansas Statehouse.

In this conversation, Matt reveals what first motivated him to advocate for mental health awareness, and what he hopes people take away from his poems.

Many factors can make someone vulnerable to human trafficking.

Mental health and well-being are a big part of it. Patti Mellard, who started the Rotary Club of Community Action against Human Trafficking, and Jennifer Montgomery, who received a Rotary Fellowship to address the issue globally, dive into the connections in the latest Hear me. See me. podcast.

Hear how past trauma and other factors put people at risk, and the signs we all can watch for.

Madison Schmitt started struggling as a teenager. It lead to a diagnosis with forms of severe, persistent mental illness.

She said she was fortunate to have the support of her parents. Her father David said they learned many lessons watching Madison navigate highs and lows, in part with the help of NAMI Kansas.

Their conversation shares the realities of how mental illness does not come with a quick, permanent fix. They also reflect on the best ways to support someone who’s struggling.

Shawnee Co., Kan. Corrections Director Brian Cole says jails and prisons have become our society’s de facto mental health treatment facilities. It led to the county breaking ground in August 2024 on a dedicated behavioral unit at the jail.

In this conversation, Cole shares how the increased need for mental health care impacts inmates who need help, staff who care for them, and victims waiting for justice.

The most wonderful time of the year can be the toughest for many of us.

We dive into the emotions of the season on our latest Hear me. See me. podcast. Ariel Ludwig with Valeo Behavioral Health in Topeka says expectations can add to stress and anxiety, and also grief and depression.

Hear his strategies to understand why we’re feeling all the feelings, and how to cope with them.

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 dives into the emotions veterans may experience because of their experience, signs a veteran or loved one may need to seek help, what the VA is doing to reduce stigma, and how they continue working to ensure those who served can get help.

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 provide other families what she was missing.

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.

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.