Salina Post
With Mental Health Awareness Month coming to a close, Central Kansas Mental Health Center (CKMHC) in Salina is shedding light on the importance of mental health.
Though the month of May is known as "Mental Health Awareness," CKMHC hopes to make the topic of mental health something that everyone can take seriously not just for May, but for the rest of their lives.
"We want to normalize mental health and treat it as equally important as physical health," said CKMHC Chief Development Officer, Jennifer Kaufman.
Over the years, people have experienced struggles mentally and may not be aware of the resources that are available to solve those issues. According to CKMHC people who are not exposed to mental health resources, not aware of the resources or may not want to receive any help for whatever reason, can negatively affect their behavior, relationships, jobs, physical health, decisions/choices and much more.
"We have a systemic problem that makes mental health not as important as it really is and we just want people to know that we are here to help," said CKMHC Crisis Director, Esther Kency.
First Responders and Mental Health
According to non-profit organization First H.E.L.P, there have been a total of 979 first responder-related deaths by suicide across the country, from the years of 2020-2025. These totals add up for both active and retired first responders.
Since 2019, there has been a total of 28 first responder suicides in Kansas.
"First responders, especially Firefighters and EMS struggle the most with mental health issues and we want to make people aware of this matter," said Kency.
Saline County Lt. Deputy Michael Ascher even commented on the struggles first responders face on a daily basis, after the passing of late Saline Co. Deputy J.W. Martin III.
"A community who respects and appreciates our first responders, but who may or may not quite fully understand the demons that some of us battle," stated Lt. Ascher. "It’s not just law enforcement officers on the front line either. It’s the fire fighters, paramedics, dispatchers (I’d argue they might be in the worst position of all), and our military."
First H.E.L.P., is a non-profit that reduces the "mental health stigma" for first responders through education, advocating for benefits towards those suffering from post-traumatic stress, acknowledging the service and sacrifice of first responders lost to suicide, assisting officers in their search for healing and bringing awareness to suicide and mental health issues.
"We want to reduce the stigma that first responders have it all together and figured out," said Kency. "They are human and need help just like everyone else does."
CKMHC assists law enforcement officers with Crisis Intervention (CIT) classes, which are meant to help improve interactions between law enforcement and persons with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders and prevent the inappropriate restraint, incarceration and stigmatization of these individuals. CIT Officers lead these classes by informing policemen who may come in contact with people with mental illnesses, to recognize the signs/symptoms of these illnesses and to respond effectively and appropriately to individuals in crisis.
Mental Health Resources
People wanting to be more informed about mental health or even wish to pursue a career in mental health can do so by participating in Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA). CKMHC offers these type of MHFA classes as well, yet the last class was on May 9th of this year. However, you can still call CKMHC at (785) 823-6322 for the next available class.
CKMHC along with the Ottawa County Health Department, are inviting the public to attend "Roots of Resilience: A Rural Mental Health Gathering," that will be on Saturday, June 7th from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Minneapolis Public Library Meeting Room on 519 Delia Ave. in Minneapolis, KS.
The event will consist of honest conversations, community connections and support for rural mental health and suicide prevention. Attendees only from Ottawa and Lincoln counties will receive a $30 grocery card.
RSVP is encouraged but not required and you can RSVP to Gretchen Boyum at (785) 515-6139 or by email at [email protected].
24/7 Mobile Crisis Lifeline
CKMHC encourages individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues to call or text the 24/7 mobile crisis lifeline at *988. Online chat is another way to do so by going to 988lifeline.org.
Not only do people receive help immediately, but locally CKMHC sends mental health professionals to assist with individuals in-person as well. They are set only to help people who live in these five counties which are Saline, Ottawa, Lincoln, Ellsworth and Dickinson.
According to CKMHC, they are obligated to arrive to the person's location within an hour of the person's call (depending on distance). As CKMHC is traveling towards the caller's location, they can stay on the phone with that person if they want them to.
The CKMHC number for that assistance is (785) 823-6322.
For more information on the resources CKMHC provides, go to https://www.ckmhc.org/.