Tag: destigmatizing mental health

Alaska volunteers want to know: What happened to the ‘Lost Alaskans’ sent to this Portland mental hospital?

At least 3,500 Alaskans believed to be mentally ill were sent to Oregon's Morningside Hospital, many of them Alaska Natives. Many of their families never saw them again.
A maroon building with blue lettering that says "North Star Residential Treatment Center"

Anchorage child psychiatric hospital scrutinized in federal inspectors’ investigation

Advocates for North Star's patients have asked whether the hospitals are meeting their obligation to protect and treat those children, many of them placed there by the state.

Line One: Mental Health Mosaics – Houselessness and crisis response

During the third installment of Mental Health Mosaics on Line One, we learn about the intersections of houselessness and mental health through the stories of two individuals.

Line One: Mental Health Mosaics — Racism and mental health

On the second installment of Out North's Mental Health Mosaics, we hear from community members about the ways that racism and discrimination affect mental health.

Line One: Mental Health Mosaics — Breaking the silence

Breaking the silence around mental health concerns can be hard. On this a special presentation of Mental Health Mosaics, a production of Out North, Anchorage residents open up about their experiences.

Line One: Accessibility and dimensions of elderly support

Alaska’s elderly population is growing at a rapid rate while facing a range of challenges that can be distressing, and physically impairing.
an older woman stands in front of her house with her hands at her waist and looks downward with a smile

For 13 years she’s cared for her husband who has memory loss. Now she’s looking for help.

The number of Alaskans with memory loss is set to nearly double by 2030. Resources to help are limited, but navigators help caregivers find them.
Seats next to desks

Talk of Alaska: Alternative justice in Alaska’s therapeutic courts

Many people who are involved with the criminal justice system have mental health issues, substance use disorders, or both. Instead of going to prison, some people choose to participate in the Alaska Therapeutic Court System where a team of people helps them heal.

An Anchorage mosaic highlights the importance of mental wellbeing

Talking about mental health is hard, but it’s important for anyone who is struggling to know that they’re not alone. Alaska Public Media’s Adam Nicely brings us this story of an Anchorage community project with that goal, called Mental Health Mosaics.
A woman with brown curly hair and a grey sweater sits at a table in a school counselor office with a high school student who is wearing a black hoodie and a glasses.

An alternative high school in Anchorage is focusing on mental health to help students graduate

Karen Hobart said her main goal as a school counselor is to help kids graduate, and that means looking at a lot more than just their grades or the number of credits they’ve earned. She also connects them to resources like food, safe transportation, or different types of mental health care. 
An Alaska Native woman stitches some pieces of leather

IñuPiphany aims to teach Alaska Native women craft skills in Anchorage — and help beat addiction

Helen Lane says the space’s twin purpose fills a void in Anchorage, where many Native women don’t have access to elders’ knowledge about crafts and where many struggle with drug addiction and alcoholism.
Young Black man smiles slightly while standing next to a blue sign that reads "Benny Benson Alternative High School Congratulations Graduates Class of 2022."

How to help people understand the complexity of mental health

An Anchorage teenager made major shifts in his approach to life and is about to graduate high school. He never saw a therapist, never thought about mental health. But mental health is tied to all of it.
A street view of people walking and biking in front of a red general store.

SPECIAL Talk of Alaska: Talkeetna community members discuss social isolation

The pandemic brought on a level of loneliness that many of us haven’t encountered before. Even two years in, we’re just beginning to understand how our communities and relationships have been affected.

People harm themselves to cope with big emotions. You can help them heal.

Self-harm is a coping mechanism and a call for help. It can also be extremely hard to talk about.
two people showing a gift in an office

At this mental health drop-in center in Fairbanks, members say ‘you can just be you’

The Northern Hope Center is a free, member-driven drop-in center for adults with serious mental illnesses that gives people a social safety net free from judgment.
two staff from CITC lead a class on suicide intervention

Talk of Alaska: Crisis Now and mental health resources

When you're in the middle of a mental health crisis you need help immediately but options are often limited and inappropriate. Organizations around Alaska are working to change that and connect people with the support they need.
A group of people pose for a photo outside.

A new crisis team in Fairbanks is responding to mental health calls and freeing up other emergency resources

The city’s Mobile Crisis Team started two months ago and is bringing mental health services directly to people in crisis.
A woman with blonde hair in a black sweatshirt.

‘So much hope’: Alaskans say peer support can make recovery possible

Peer mentors can now receive certification in Alaska to provide support for people in recovery from substance use and mental health issues.
A woman calls up into the air as she beats a drum in front of a mountain town

How learning an Indigenous language leads to healing

During the pandemic, some Indigenous language learning groups saw a boost in enrollment.
two staff from CITC lead a class on suicide intervention as a student takes notes

Thousands of Alaskans are considering suicide. You can learn to help them choose life.

Thousands of Alaskans seriously consider suicide every year. Learning to talk directly about it can help people intervene and stop someone from trying.