Dr. Cathrine Frank is one of the co-creators of a new initiative to screen, assess, and treat patients for suicide risk.

Michigan doctors challenge others to join them in a quest for “Zero Suicide”

Two Henry Ford Health doctors want to train health care providers to screen patients for risk of suicide — and connect them with resources to prevent suicide if the risk is high.

“A Chicago native I’ve been in prison a couple times I live in the Battle Creek Shelter. I’m trying to be positive and encourage others,” Richard Evans, 62.
Michigan’s community mental health providers serve the unhoused

Michigan’s community mental health providers are stepping in with innovative programs that support Michiganders experiencing both homelessness and mental illness. 

Northern Initiatives helps jumpstart new businesses

Have an idea and want to start a new business? As a Community Development Financial Institution, Northern Initiatives has been supporting Michigan startups with education, coaching, and needed financing — for 30 years. Check out these two success stories in Comstock and Battle Creek.

Kalamazoo’s Life Camp to help young people find a path away from gun violence

Five lives have been lost to gun violence in Kalamazoo just this year. On Monday, Moms Demand Action and supporters packed Bronson Park wearing orange to honor those who have been impacted. For June, which is Gun Violence Prevention Month, Urban Alliance is planning three Life Camps to help youth avoid gun violence, learn compassion, and understand "Hands are Meant to Heal, Not Kill."

Kalamazoo’s Hope for Creation: Interfaith climate action grown from grassroots

While faith-based groups may disagree about the science of climate change, they typically agree on the importance of caring for creation. Using the approach of shared morality, Hope for Creation, an interfaith group, aims to "galvanize the faith community" to promote earth-friendly actions within a climate action framework, says organizer Joan Hawxhurst.

Salary surprise for Battle Creek teachers swells Bearcat pride

Following the Bearcat Advantage college scholarship announcement, Battle Creek Public School teachers were just as stunned as students. Then came the next great news: A $10,000 pay raise, bumping teacher salaries to the top in Southwest Michigan districts. "Having a district that sees every day the work that you do and appreciates that — I think that's huge," says Natasha Hager, Verona Elementary teacher.

A love of beef jerky becomes a business for Battle Creek man

Zaccari Frailey's love for beef jerky blossomed during the pandemic when he was a high school junior with an EBT card at his disposal. When funds dried up, Frailey decided to dry his own beef. Not long after, Jerk Your Beef Jerky, Frailey's successful, new business, was born.

Kalamazoo Lyceum on Nature: Act locally, think globally

The third Kalamazoo Lyceum convened at the Kalamazoo Nature Center in May to focus on nature and what it means to the community. Protecting wild, urban spaces; cleaning up the Kalamazoo River; and halting pollution of our neighborhoods were just a few of the topics that arose. The general consensus: Hope plus action can equal impactful change.

Absolutely Accessible Kent looks at making ‘disabled’ buildings extinct

On June 14, from 1–4 p.m. at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Absolutely Accessible Kent will explore how universal design goes beyond ADA to future-proof space.  

Dr. Kellen Stilwell conducts telepsychiatry sessions with rural Michigan children and adolescents.
Psychiatric residents and fellows fill gaps in rural Michigan mental health care

Psychiatry fellows and psychiatry residents are helping to fill the gaps in care experienced by rural Michiganders.

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