SWMI Journalism Collaborative

Outdoor therapy for Vets comes to Southwest Michigan with new garden in Paw Paw

A new program in Southwest Michigan is combining some tried and true therapies, in a new mix, to help military Veterans find their return to civilian life a bit easier. After a few steps back, a new community garden is almost ready for veterans and volunteers to start planting — and reaping a harvest of help.  

Finding peace during war

In a city the size of Kalamazoo, with 76,000 residents, gun violence has hit record highs with numbers still small enough to feel personal: 13 people were shot to death in 2020 and 2021 respectively, up from four in 2018 and seven in 2019. Assaults with a firearm doubled from 211 in 2018 to 401 in 2021; there were already more than 92 through April this year. Public officials are ringing the alarm to quickly fix a problem decades in the making.

Opinion: Stop blaming mental illness for gun violence

With a very few and specific (and possibly debatable) exceptions, people with mental illness are no more likely to perpetrate violence than the general population. If anything, they are far more likely to be the victims of it. In the rare cases where violent behavior is elevated, the most likely victim is the person themself.

Encontrando la Paz Durante la Guerra

En una ciudad del tamaño de Kalamazoo, con 76.000 habitantes, la violencia con armas de fuego ha alcanzado cifras históricas con números todavía lo suficientemente pequeños como para sentirse como algo personal: 13 personas fueron asesinadas a tiros en 2020 y 2021, respectivamente, frente a cuatro en 2018 y siete en 2019. Los asaltos con arma de fuego se duplicaron, pasando de 211 en 2018 a 401 en 2021; ya hubo más de 92 hasta abril de este año. Los funcionarios públicos están alertando para solucionar rápidamente un problema que lleva décadas gestándose.

Community mental health conversation: Navigating COVID – What’s your new normal?

Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, in collaboration with The Synergy Health Center and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, will welcome community members to a Community Conversation.

La intervención oportuna de una línea de apoyo puede evitar la necesidad de una línea de emergencia

La idea detrás de Warmline es que se trata de una línea de escucha dirigida por pares para prevenir una crisis, diseñada para ofrecer apoyo y conectar a las personas con los recursos que necesitan.

In Kalamazoo, a Warmline’s early intervention may help some from needing to use a Hotline

The idea behind Warmline is that it is a peer-run listening line to prevent a crisis, designed to offer support and to connect people with the resources they need. It is provided by Gryphon Place, ASK Family Services, and Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health. 

How one clinic is making mental health services more accessible for Three Rivers students

If you're a middle school or high school aged student in Three Rivers, the distance between where you attend school and a place that provides mental health services has never been shorter. Thanks to PAWS (Prevention and Wellness Service), a school-linked community adolescent health center, Three Rivers teens and tweens simply have to cross the street.

Reformas y nuevos programas facilitan la búsqueda de servicios de salud mental a precios asequibles

Se calcula que alrededor del 20% de los adultos de Michigan padecen una enfermedad mental diagnosticable a lo largo de un año. Sin embargo, más de la mitad no recibe tratamiento. ¿Un obstáculo considerable? El costo, dicen los expertos.  

Finding affordable mental-health care getting easier with reforms, new programs

It’s estimated that about 20% of Michigan adults experience a diagnosable mental-health condition in a given year. Yet more than half will go untreated. A major barrier? Cost, experts say.

Our Sponsors

Gilmore Foundation

Our Media Partners

Battle Creek Community Foundation
BINDA Foundation
Southwest Journalism Media Collaborative
Southwest Michigan First
Consumers Energy
WK Kellogg Foundation logo

Don't miss out!

Everything Southwest Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.