Why We NAMI - A Mental Health Podcast: Recent Episodes
NAMI South Dakota
Why We NAMI is a podcast that explores the subject of mental health, helping you stay connected, stay informed, and stay well. Why We NAMI is brought to you by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) South Dakota, whose mission is to provide education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness. For more information and to get involved, visit our website at namisouthdakota.org. Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss new episodes! Hosted by Mallory Kloucek and Angela Hyde. Produced and edited by Skye Giebink.
What a journey these last two and a half years have been. In the final episode of Why We NAMI co-hosts Angela and Mallory sit down with our producer Skye to share some of our best moments with the show and our immense gratitude towards our listeners. It has been an amazing ride. Please remember to reach out to namisouthdakota.org for any resources and updated information on programs and events happening in across our state.
If looking for a new mental health podcast to listen to, check out NAMI national's podcast "Hope Starts with Us" on any of your favorite podcast apps.
Mikayla Mitzel is a Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in what is now known as South Dakota. She has a background in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as primary and secondary education. She is currently working as a school counselor with K-5 in her home community, which is the perfect blending of these two fields. She is passionate about individual, family, and community healing, and aspires to bring culturally competent and relevant strengthening of families programming and services to her reservation.
Dr. Jay Kahl is the Assistant Vice Provost for Assessment and Academic Excellence at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. He considers himself a Buddhist or Taoist, and meditation is a part of his daily life. He has been leading guided meditation sessions for students at Augustana, and brings his practice to this week's episode of Why We NAMI.
Jenna Everson is a current MSW student at the University of South Dakota. Previous to graduate school she went to South Dakota State University in Brookings and grew up in Aberdeen. Jenna is NAMI South Dakota's intern for the next year as she completed her first semester of her graduate program.
Jamie Sterk is the founder of Wounded Healer Recovery. Prior to Wounded Healer Recovery Jamie worked in the Sioux Falls School District. In 2020, Jamie became certified as a yoga instructor and became attuned in the art of Reiki. Being in recovery from addiction herself, The way that her spirituality was strengthened because of the combination of working a twelve step program, practicing yoga and using Reiki healing energy in her life was impactful. Jamie is a mother to 5 children.
Beth Elam is the Associate Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator at Augustana University. She has been at Augustana for 13 years and serves the university in the areas of student health & counseling, mental health resources, crisis management/response and Title IX.
As part of the Dean of Students Office, Beth helps to create a culture of care that surrounds each student as they navigate their college experience. Beth earned her B.A degree from the University of Sioux Falls and her M.S. in Counseling & Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University.
Jessi Whetsel is the campus counselor at Lake Area Technical College. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and went on to complete her Masters in Education for School Counseling from Northeastern State University (OK). She then completed some post-graduate classes to earn a license in professional counseling.
Jessi has worked in both school and community counseling as a counselor and presently enjoys her job helping college students in life transitions and mental health struggles. Jessi and her husband have a blended family and live at home with their two children in Watertown, SD. Jessi enjoys spending time with her family, visiting with her friends, and helping to improve the community around her.
Sylvia Selgestad has been a Credit and Housing Counselor and Educator with the Lutheran Social Services Center for Financial Resources for more than 10 years. She is a HUD Certified Housing Counselor, and is certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as a Credit Counselor, Student Loan Counselor and Financial Educator, as well as the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) in Homeownership Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention Counseling. She works primarily with clients in rural areas and those who are or have been incarcerated.
Mark “Papa D” Daniels, PhD, QMHP, Ho-Chunk, Dine, Nooch (he/him/his) is a Native American Clinical Psychologist currently working at Sanford Health in Vermillion as an Integrated Health Therapist and a member of the Board of Directors of The TRANSformation Project whosemission is to support and empower transgender youth, young adults, and their families while educating communities in South Dakota and the surrounding region about gender identity and expression.
He is a former Associate Professor of Psychology and Native American Studies at USD, a former Clinical Psychologist at the Sioux Falls VA, the Sacred Child Treatment Program for the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, and the Society of Care for the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska, and Past President of the Society of Indian Psychologists, the national organization that represents Native American Psychologists.
He earned his BS degree in Psychology with a Sociology minor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and his MA and PhD in Psychology at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. He completed his Predoctoral Internship at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis, South Dakota, and the Sioux San Indian Health Service Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Stephanie Burgeon graduated from South Dakota State University with both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. This is her 28th year in education. She will be a counselor at George McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls this Fall. She previously spent time in the Yankton and Wagner school districts. She is married to her husband Michael. She has two sons, Brody is a full time soldier in the US Army and Hudson will be a sophomore at Jefferson High School. In her spare time she enjoys reading, baking, shopping and spending time with my family.
LuAnn’s Berkhof's entire professional career has had a dimension of caregiving that has afforded her the opportunity to see the care needs of an array of people groups. LuAnn has worked previously as a teacher, a preschool director, a teen and young adult program coordinator, a provider for people with different abilities and a caregiver to our older adults. Each of these groups of people have specific needs but each share a common need to feel safe and valued.
Luann grew up on a farm by Slayton, Minnesota, graduated from Dordt College, in Sioux Center IA, and have now lived in Sioux Falls, SD for over 30 years.
Carmen Spurling has been the Caregiver Outreach Director at Active Generations for the past 3.5 years. Prior to this, she worked 8 years with the Dept of Human Services in the Long term Services & Supports division, helping the aging & disabled population remain safely in their homes. Carmen loves helping people connect to resources and provide education so they feel more empowered to care for their loved ones as long as possible.
Nic Brokenleg received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Augustana University in 2001, and his Master’s Degree in Social Work from USD in 2016. He has worked in Human Services for 20 years in the areas of Substance Abuse, Homelessness, Children’s Education, Mental Health and Medical Social Work. He is a Licensed Independent Therapist and has been with the VA since 2015. He has been a Program Coordinator with the VA’s Caregiver Support Program since 2019.
Monique “Muffie” Mousseau's Lakota name is Canupa mani Wi ((Cha Nu Pa Ma Nee Wee )) (Walks with Pipe Women) Monique “Muffie” Mousseau (Moo-so). She is a member of the Oglala Lakota oyate. She is alcohol and drug free and has been in a relationship for 15+ years, married 6 years to her beautiful wife, Felipa De Leon.
She is a True Rez’er and able to be an urban native.
Monique has a bachelor’s degree in Education, Associate Arts and Science degree in Natural Resources Management, Pre-engineering. She has 36 years in the workforce including 21 years at the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System as an Easement Coordinator. 8 years as an IPA Federal Certified Police Officer where she became knowledgeable of Federal Laws which govern Native American Reservations. More recently she worked in New Mexico and North Dakota and Rapid City, SD until May 2019.
Monique is an Advocate/Activist for many important groups including the LGBTQ2S. She promotes culture, education and equity. child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, Native American Rights, Minority Discrimination, MMIWM, Native American LGBTQ2S. Promotes culture, education, equity, Involved in many protections of Mother Earth (Water/Land/Air) marches and protests. Strong equality beliefs. Involved in community concept of pro-active teachings for the next generations. Strong in the belief of Mitakuye Oyasin, Mother Earth, all connections.
In her spare time, Monique travels throughout the western United States for Pow Wow/Rodeoing throughout her entire life, loved competing in sports, Travelled for Golfing Tournaments along the West Coast. Also, learned how to curl while living in North Dakota.
Matt Neufeld has been part of Sioux Falls Pride since the fall of 2018. His vision for the organization is to advocate for the understanding and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit community in all aspects of life in the Sioux Falls and surrounding area.
Rev. Dr. Teri Johnson has been an instructor at South Dakota State University for the past 8 years and teaches a variety of courses. She is an ordained United Methodist minister for 32 years serving congregations in Pierre, Mitchell, Brookings, and Minneapolis. She is the President of Brookings PFLAG and a member of the Brookings Backpack Board.
She enjoys spending time with her family and her 4 grandchildren, taking care of her 2 dogs and 2 cats, making bread, and being outside.
Repost with updated intro (in memoriam)
Cindy Kirschman currently works as the transitions liaison for the Transition Services Liaison Project under the Black Hills Special Service Coop, and is a volunteer and affiliate leader for NAMI Aberdeen. She is trained as a Basics teacher, Ending the Silence presenter, and Family Support Group Facilitator. She is an advocate for mental health and our friend!
John Schwab (he/him) was born and raised 30 miles outside of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and has lived in Aberdeen since 2019. John is currently earning his BFA in Digital Media/Graphic Design and Minoring in Marketing at Northern State University, and has two adorable animal children: Fuzzball (a cat), and Evelyn (a cinnamon conure). John has volunteered at the Aberdeen Community Theatre for 12 years and acted at Storybook Land Theatre since he was 11. He has done marketing and social media managing for the South Dakota Film Festival and has also worked on multiple short films throughout the years in the area. John strives to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality, recognition, and mental health awareness in the Aberdeen area - and with his current transition into the Director's spot of Aberdeen Area Pride, he is excited to make this vision happen.
Nancy Wehrkamp is the Director of Programming at Active Generations. She has spent most of her career in education. Before Active Generations, she was the director at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for 7 years. She was also an education consultant at Avera McKennan, and a school counselor at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Nancy is married with 3 adult children and 1 grandchild.
Denise Houchin started her journey to health almost 40 years ago, due to her oldest child having many health challenges. In 2010, after transitioning to a Whole Food Plant-Based way of eating, learning to de-stress, and incorporating gentle exercise, she was able to overcome and reverse many health issues, including: high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety and depression, insomnia, high cholesterol and pre-diabetes.
As a Plant Based Chef, Nutrition Educator, Licensed Food for Life Instructor and former Plant-based Restaurant owner, Denise has taught cooking and nutrition classes in a variety of settings. She loves sharing her knowledge of nutrition and allowing others to see how fabulous plant-based foods can taste.
Denise is also a Hallelujah Health Minister, and Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from the Center for Nutrition Studies at eCornell University.
Kira Kimball is Marsh McLennan’s Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer. Kira provides strategic and tactical leadership to advance efforts to attract and celebrate diverse perspectives while promoting and protecting a level playing field for all colleagues. Kira has her MSEd in counseling & human development with an emphasis in college students, an MA in English -- both from Purdue University and a BA in English -- from Minnesota State University Moorhead
Prior to becoming Chief DE&I Officer in 2021, Kira was Chief Innovation Officer of Marsh McLennan in Sioux Falls. In this role, she used her talents to create an unfair competitive advantage for the team through collaborative business & community relationships that support revenue growth, client retention & talent recruitment with a message of expertise, commitment to our community and values of integrity & passion for what we do and who we do it with.
Kira is also a part of the Pathways to Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces Community Coalition.
Megan Howard currently leads Baird’s financial planning, estate and tax planning services. She is a graduate from SDSU and a certified financial planner. She shares value to her clients and community by being an educator, resource, and colleague.
Previous to Baird, she spent years in the banking and cosmetology industries. While completing her bachelor's degree in entrepreneurial studies, she transitioned into banking and finance. Growing up with two hard working entrepreneur parents and has been instilled with hard work and a relationship-based mentality.
Being an oldest child of two successful Army officers she grew up with certain traits that help her and her business grow and succeed. When Megan is not working she is a fan of the outdoors riding her motorcycle and hiking in the Black Hills.
Cindy Kirschman currently works as the transitions liaison for the Transition Services Liaison Project under the Black Hills Special Service Coop, and is a volunteer and affiliate leader for NAMI Aberdeen. She is trained as a Basics teacher, Ending the Silence presenter, and Family Support Group Facilitator. She is an advocate for mental health and our friend!
Jan Small is a retired educator, parent and grandparent. She currently lives in Watertown with her husband John.
Matthew Stanley serves as the Vice President of the Behavioral Health Clinical Service Line and as the Medical Directorof the Avera McKennan Behavioral Health Center and the Avera Addiction Care Center, Sioux Falls, SD, and the Avera Marshall Behavioral Health Center, Marshall, MN. He received his doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, Des Moines, IA. Dr. Stanley completed his residency at Western Missouri Mental Health Center, Kansas City, MO, and at the University of South Dakota in General Psychiatry.
He has more than 20 years of experience as a psychiatrist at Avera and is Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventative Medicine. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
Sheri Nelson has over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families who have experienced mental health challenges. Sheri holds a bachelor’s in psychology and Addiction Studies and a masters in Addiction Studies from the University of South Dakota. As an addiction counselor Sheri worked with at risk youth and their families.
She went on to be the Director of a specialized program in which she treated both adult women and adolescent females who were pregnant, parenting, and struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Through her 20+ years of experience she also worked with clients who struggled with suicidal ideation and families who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Prior to her new role as the Executive Director of NAMI SD, Sheri filled the role as Suicide Prevention Director at the Helpline Center for the past 5 years. As the Executive Director of NAMI SD, Sheri brings over 10 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector in which she was in leadership roles.
As a certified nurse practitioner (CNP), Brenda Johnson is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This certification allows Brenda to diagnose and treat mental illnesses with medication and/or psychotherapy.
Her practice provides a nursing philosophy emphasis, shared decision making, and collaboration with other health practitioners. Brenda is licensed by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners. Her 30 plus years of nursing experience also gives her a special ability in treating mental issues that co-occur with other medical conditions or end of life issues.
Mental health issues impact chronic disease management in diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, alchoholism, heart disease, etc. She also works to dispel mental illness myths by encouraging early identification and treatment of mental illness.
Trivia Afraid of Lightning-Craddock is Mnicoujou Lakota an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, she graduated in 2016 with her master’s in Leadership and Management from Oglala Lakota College. While attending Oglala Lakota College, Trivia volunteered as a community advocate as well as a working as a Uplifting Parent Mentor for Catholic Social Services. Trivia was able to use her training and life experiences helping native and non native single parents achieve their higher education academic goals while receiving mentorship and support.
Trivia has been a community advocate in the area of Lakota language preservation, suicide prevention, and mentor. In 2021 Trivia volunteered as a Connecting With Our Youth -Community Response Team Volunteer and now is currently the Program Manager of the Connecting With Our Youth suicide prevention intervention Program at the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board.
During his 35 years with the Sioux Falls Stockyards and the Olson-Frankman Commission, and his many years broadcasting the daily markets on KELO-TV, Jim Woster has touched the lives of nearly every agriculture producer in South Dakota. As a dedicated member of the South Dakota Cattleman’s Association, Jim was awarded the Agri-Businessman of the Year (2000) and the Agriculturalist of the Year (2001) and inducted into the SD Hall of Fame in 2001. He has also donated countless hours to Avera Hospital, the South Dakota University Foundation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Jim has stated that, “ there is nothing in the world like opening weekend of pheasant hunting in Lyman County with family and friends. I have been one of the luckiest people in the country to be able to work in the same field that somewhat matches the talents that God gave me”. Jim was born to Henry (Hank) and Marie Woster in Chamberlain, SD. He attended grade school in Reliance and high school in Chamberlain. In 1962, he graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science. He married Penny Jorgenson and the couple had three children: Jim Jr., Sara, and Michelle. Jim and his wife Penny reside in Sioux Falls, SD.
Maggie Kadrlik graduated from Augustana University in 2019 with a bachelors in psychology and sociology. While at Augie, Maggie played softball for 5 years where she was a part of the team who won the national championship in 2019. After Augie, Maggie went on to work at Avera Behavioral Health as a behavioral health technician for two years. Maggie is back at Augustana University, not only working as the strength and conditioning graduate assistant but also getting her masters in sports administration and leadership. She is currently working on her thesis studying the impact of mental health awareness for athletes. Maggie plans to get her doctorate in sports psychology after graduation.
Maggie has a passion for mental health and sports and wants to help others. Maggie enjoys traveling, dogs and is currently training for a strongman competition.
Dr. Mo, (Melissa Dittberner), PhD, CPS, LMT, is a lecturer in the Addiction Counseling and Prevention department at the University of South Dakota. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology in Education, a master’s in Addiction Studies and a bachelor’s in Health Sciences.
Dr. Mo is a prevention specialist. She does research on college students’ substance use, pedagogy, addiction and harm reduction. Dr. Mo has worked on grants surrounding substance use disorders, harm reduction, continuing education, telehealth, recovery support, tattoos and much more.
She speaks publicly on adaptability, resiliency, and sustainability, screening, prevention, harm reduction, motivation as well as her own lived experience story. Dr. Mo is a person in long-term recovery from trauma, abuse and addiction. Dr. Mo’s Mission: to help people learn to help themselves.
Natasha Petry, PharmD, MPH, BCACP, is an Associate Professor of Practice at North Dakota State University (NDSU), and a Pharmacogenomics Clinical Pharmacist at Sanford Health Imagenetics, both in Fargo, ND. She also serves as the Residency Program Director for Sanford Health Imagenetics’ Post-graduate Year 2 Clinical Pharmacogenomics Residency program. She completed a B.S. in Microbiology, Pharm.D., and MPH all from NDSU in Fargo. Dr. Petry completed a PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency at Trinity Health in Minot, ND.
Dr. Petry's practice and research interests include the implementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx), the use of pre-emptive genetic tests as population screening tools, and PGx educational and training initiatives. She is licensed to practice pharmacy in ND, MN, WI and IN and is a board certified ambulatory care pharmacist. She has been working in the area of pharmacogenomics since 2014.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on her favorite sports teams.
Tim Neyhart has a B.S. in Secondary Education. He has been an active member of a number of disability policy work groups concerning special education, mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and other related topics. He is the past chair of the Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired Rehabilitation Advisory Council, past member of the Division of the Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Council, etc. In 1998, Tim was identified as the Governor’s Advisory Council Distinguished Service Award.
Tim began his career with DRSD on January 1, 1990. He is now the Executive Director. He says that he likes helping people to identify the things that are important to them and assisting them to achieve those things.
Lance Johnson is from Webster, SD, graduated from Webster High School and raised on a farm Northwest of Webster – grain and beef. Lance graduated from South Dakota State University with a Major in Dairy Manufacturing. Lance has been in the dairy industry for 36 years and working at Valley Queen Cheese Factory in Milbank, SD for 26 years doing primarily production and engineering. Lance is married to his wife Dine (pronounced Deena), has 4 kids – ages range 19 to 31 years old.
Cara Hetland has 33 years in public radio as a reporter, producer and News Director and manager. Over the years she has told many stories about South Dakota. Hetland also teaches media writing and law at the University of Sioux Falls and enjoys working with interns to develop their own style of storytelling. She lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, Daren and three daughters.
Laurie Knutson has been in the Sioux Falls community for over 30 years, serving the non-profit world in a variety of leadership capacities. She has been a board member to organizations like Avera McKennan, The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and her church, as well as many social organizations like Kiwanis and the President’s Bowl. After serving as the CEO of EmBe for 11 years, she now has her own business called The Interim CEO which allows her to use her leadership skills and knowledge within a variety of organizations. In that sense, she is currently serving at the Interim Executive Director of the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls.
Frank Kloucek graduated in 1974 from Scotland High School and 1978 as an SDSU graduate where he double majored in animal science and general agriculture. His wife Joanie is a dietary manager at a local hospital, and he has four adult children: Jennifer, Michelle, Kimberlee, Jared, and seven grandchildren. Frank ran the family farm in Bon Homme County, and was a State Senator for 16 years and State Representative for 6 years for District 19.
Janet Kittams is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Helpline Center. She has been with agency for over 20 years in a variety of leadership roles beginning as a volunteer. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of South Dakota and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of North Dakota and is a licensed professional counselor.
Her experience includes serving as a leader in statewide efforts surrounding suicide prevention, expanding the 211 system to become statewide in 2020, and building the Helpline Center to work as a collaborative partner on a variety of social service and health care issues.
Danae Kirschman is a volunteer for NAMI Aberdeen. She is trained as a Basics teacher, Ending the Silence presenter, and Connections Facilitator. She is an advocate for mental health and our friend!
Wendy Mamer is a dedicated community member who thrives by meeting people, being with people, and hearing their stories. Wendy embodies a vulnerability-centered approach, both personally and professionally. Wendy has the honor of serving as the Assistant Director of Admission at Augustana University. While at Augustana, Wendy helped bring the first ever student-led mental health group to campus, which she is currently the advisor for. Outside of her time at Augustana, Wendy enjoys spending time with her husband, Kyle and their two puppies, Milli and Milo. Wendy also serves on a local non-profit board for Sad Isn't Bad, which provides free grief counseling to youth and those who care for them. She has been the on-court emcee for the Sioux Falls Skyforce for the past 5 seasons and she also was selected as a TEDx Sioux Falls speaker where she delivered the talk "Survivor of Suicide Loss: A Title I Never Wanted.
Caitlin Irish is a senior nursing student at SDSU and has been volunteering for NAMI since 2019. In her free time, she can be found writing, quilting, and playing with her emotional support hedgehog, Bobbin.
Mike Cuperus graduated from Augsburg University in Minneapolis with a bachelors degree in marketing and is currently pursuing a masters in business administration from the University of Sioux Falls.
Mike has been involved in Sales and Marketing for the last 17 years -- most recently as the Marketing Manager for an animal health company in Minnesota. Mike has also helped as the assistant wrestling coach at Hunter College in NYC, and also a volunteer coach with Beat the Streets New York, a non-profit organization that offers free wrestling programs for urban youth.
Currently, Mike lives in Sioux Falls with his wife and 3 small children ages 6, 3, and 3. He has been recently hired to represent NAMI SD as their development manager!
Frederick Osborn holds an MBA from Marylhurst University, as well as a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Juris Doctor from Creighton University. Mr. Osborn has over 17 years’ experience in all phases of curriculum development, both traditional and online, including program design and implementation at the post-secondary level. His teaching experience includes Business, Computer Software, Economics, Humanities, Law, and Real Estate at Pioneer Pacific College, Chemeketa Community College, and Linfield University. Most recently as Chief Academic Officer and Title IX Coordinator for Pioneer Pacific College, Mr. Osborn supervised all faculty and academic standards while serving as direct liaison with both federal and state government agencies.
Dr. Oyen is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of South Dakota. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Oyen was a practicing rural school psychologist for ten years. Dr. Oyen is a state coordinator for the Multi-tiered Systems of Support/Positive Behavior Interventions and Support project in the State of South Dakota and sat on the Special Education Interim Legislative Committee as a Governor appointee. Dr. Oyen’s research focuses on risk and protective factors that lead to student outcomes as well as the role of advocacy in public service settings. Her peer-reviewed research has been published in Contemporary School Psychology, School Psychology Review, Psychological Services, and The Rural Educator. In addition, she is a Past-President and Past-Chair of Government Professional Relations for the South Dakota Association of School Psychologists.
Dr. Oyen is very actively involved in the National Association of School Psychologists as the Chair of the Government Professional Relations Committee. She is looked to as a national advocate for the role of rural school psychologists. Dr. Oyen has multiple chapters in scholarly edited books regarding the practice of Rural School Psychology. In addition, Dr. Oyen also sat on the taskforce to address the national shortage of school psychologists, sat on the writing team for the 2020 revision of the NASP practice model, and sat on the National Advisory Committee for the updates to the School Psychologists Praxis Exam.
In 2014, Dr. Oyen received the University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine Distinguished Service Award from the Center for Disabilities for her contributions to the field of disabilities. She also received the School Psychologist of the Year Award by the South Dakota Association of School Psychologists in 2015. Dr. Oyen was also awarded a competitive summer training grant to examine factors related to child maltreatment in South Dakota, a SD Community Foundation Innovation grant to study the profiles of children who experience maltreatment in rural settings, and most recently, a SAMHSA Disaster Relief grant in collaboration with the SD Department of Social Services to address Crisis Prevention and Response in Schools.
Marilyn Charging is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. She is a retired school administrator, devoted mother and grandmother, and a sewing enthusiast. She is also the Education and Outreach Consultant for NAMI South Dakota and on a co-hort group implementing the NAMI program FaithNet.
Darla Biel earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, a M.A. and M.F.A. in English from Iowa State University and Pacific University respectively, and a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University. She expects to complete her Certificate in Child & Adult Advocacy Studies from the University of South Dakota in Dec. 2021.
Biel taught writing courses at GrandView College and Iowa State University before teaching at South Dakota State University, where she also collaborated with colleagues across disciplines on sustained creative and research projects. After leaving higher education, Biel became Executive Director at the Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program (BCYMP), where she implemented evidence-based best practices, aligned and assessed BCYMP using the Developmental Relationship Framework, increased Mentors’ capacity to serve Mentees with ACES, and led BCYMP to becoming one of only 33 mentoring programs nationally to earn a Disability Mentoring Certificate.
Biel also served on the facilitating team that led Brookings County residents through the Resilient Communities: South Dakota process and is passionate about helping other communities increase their capacity to collectively know, respond to and prevent child maltreatment. In addition to serving on a Rotary District 5610 committee that works to increase awareness of human trafficking and the correlation between ACES and victimization, Biel serves on the boards of Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings, the South Dakota State Poetry Society, and the South Dakota Nonprofit Network. She lives in Brookings with her husband, Marc. They have five children.
Emily Meier is a senior at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, where she serves as the Chief Communications Officer in the Student Government Association. She is also part of the Honors Program and is a recipient of a grant from the Bush Foundation and the National Arts Strategies Change Network, with which she is working to create broader access to mental health care for NSU students.
Jett Jonelis is the advocacy manager for the ACLU of South Dakota. As the advocacy manager, Jett builds the ACLU’s public education and advocacy programs through coalition-building, leadership development, communication, and lobbying. They ensure that supporters of the ACLU of South Dakota have the tools, information, and opportunities to be effective advocates on issues like LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit rights, Indigenous justice, and criminal justice reform.
Prior to joining the ACLU, Jett served as an AmeriCorps VISTA and Public Ally in their hometown of New Haven, Conn. During their program years, they worked in community organizing and capacity building for New Haven Legal Assistance Association and Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven. They also volunteered with community placemaking organizations and engaged in organizing around ending police violence, increasing access to safe and truly affordable housing, and decriminalizing homelessness.
Jett recently graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. At Maxwell, Jett worked on initiatives aimed at developing anti-racism and anti-oppression curriculum for the Public Administration and International Affairs Program. They graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Southern Connecticut State University where they served on the board for the Opportunities for Women’s Leadership Series.
Jett is dedicated to working in community with activists, organizers, and changemakers across the state to create a more just and equitable world for all South Dakotans.
For more than 12 years, Lindsay Neth has been providing services for individuals with mental health needs. She has worked in an inpatient mental health hospital, a partial hospitalization program, and in outpatient clinics. A primary mission has been seeing clients as/when they need support and assistance.
As a therapist, a mom of 3 active and chaotic kids, a wife and various other roles, Lindsay personally understands the feeling when being faced with stressors.
Tonya Derdall graduated in 1995 from SDSU with a Bachelors in Human Services Child Development. She is now a licensed alcohol and drug counselor who has worked in the field of human services for over 20 years. 11 of those years have been with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe as the Director of the Boys and Girls Club and Partnership for Success.
Tonya currently resides on a small acreage outside of Pukwana with her husband and horses and dogs.
Sara Foust is the Director of Codington County Welfare in Watertown. She has been a Social Worker for over 20 years and is passionate about bringing positive changes through community development. When not at work, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 sons. She also enjoys many hobbies including directing and acting in plays at Town Players.
Lori Oster is employed by South Dakota State University Extension and serves as the Program Director for Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota, a statewide self-management education program offered as workshops for adults looking to learn skills and strategies to improve their chronic health conditions.
Lori is a registered nurse with over 40 years of career experience that includes a wide variety of hospital services, home care and hospice, Indian Health Services, and public health. She has coordinated the development, growth, and sustainment of BCBH-SD since 2013.
Kari Palmer is a mother, grandmother, and lover of the outdoors. She has an innovative spirit and enjoys looking for opportunities for positive change in our community and in her personal life.
Kari has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Sioux Falls and is pursing her Masters in Business from the University of Sioux Falls. She’s worked in the public and private sector and care deeply for the well-being of others. Kari is a state trainer for NAMI Family/Connections support groups and actively volunteer in their programs.
Presently, Kari devotes her time to Journey of Hope, a nonprofit organization she founded in September 2020 with her husband Darin.
Michelle Majeres is the Prevention Coordinator at the Southeastern Prevention Resource Center, which is part of the state prevention system in South Dakota. The PRC is housed at Volunteers of America, Dakotas in Sioux Falls, SD. Michelle is a Certified Prevention Specialist under the Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals, and has worked in the prevention field for over 17 years.
Michelle graduated from SDSU in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. A seasoned trainer in substance abuse and mental health prevention as well as health promotion, Michelle is trained to deliver evidence-based prevention programs and practices such as Botvin LifeSkills, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid, Second Step Curriculum, Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Overdose Lifelines, Prime for Life, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST), and Safe Dates.
Ben Severson is 51 yrs old. He has a Master of Addiction Studies and MSW; LAC & LCSW. Undergrad: BFA/ Sociology. 6th year at USD SCC. 1 yr intern, 4 ½ years prevention, just started MH position in March. From Vermillion. Went back to grad school in 2015, 14 years after undergrad. Managed restaurants for 20 years. 9 ½ years sober. 3 kids, 28, 25, 6. 2 grandkids 5,8. Married 6 yrs.
Erin Thin Elk (Wanahca To Ka Heh Hinapah Win, First Flower that Blooms Woman) is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe). She currently serves as a Senior Tribal Specialist with One Fire Associates, LLC. She earned a B.A. in English and a Certificate in Native American Studies (2002) and a MSW (2004) both from the University of Iowa.
Ms. Thin Elk holds a passionate commitment to healing, health and social justice for tribal children, youth and families. Her professional experience includes culturally competent behavioral health practice, community-based participatory research and evaluation, mental health prevention and postvention training and programmatic development, restorative justice and peacemaking circles, and teaching and educational outreach with Native communities across the United States. Ms. Thin Elk resides with her beautiful children in Minnesota.
Terry Liggins is the founder and CEO of The Hurdle Life Coach Foundation. He advocates for special populations, at-risk youth, adults in reentry, people in recover, and young professionals.
Terry believes leadership begins with role modeling and recognizes the sphere of influence every person possesses to be a force for good. His Faith in God and people fuels his desire to be a helping hand in a world full of individuals, families, and communities in need.
Angela Drake has been the General Manager of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for the past 6 years, the Board Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for 4 years, and founded the Fight Like A Ninja Foundation 5 years ago.
After the loss of her daughter Brittany in March of 2016, Angela Drake has made it her mission to channel her grief into hope, resources, and support for others. She is a passionate mother, friend and community volunteer that strives to provide HOPE to anyone who crosses her path -- especially those who need it most.
Dr. Josefine Combs specializes in the assessment, management, and treatment of concussions in people of all ages. She has extensive experience in the evaluation and management of concussions for athletes at any level of sports participation. Her patients include professional, collegiate, high school and youth athletes.
Dr. Combs also treats non-athletes who suffered a head injury from work, home, or motor vehicle accidents. As a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Combs offers sports psychology services. She spent a two-year fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's leading concussion clinic.
Fun fact: Dr. Combs speaks two languages and is a dog mom of a German Shepherd/Red Heeler mix named Tumble.
Jordan Stone is currently the 605 Strong Specialist at the Helpline Center. She is also a seminary student and completed an internship at the VA as their student chaplain. When she isn’t working, Jordan is a trained ETS volunteer for NAMI SD and enjoys time adventuring and hanging out with her dog Bean.
Martin Dill is the new Public Space Coordinator for DTSF, Inc, and also the owner/operator of a small lawn service company, Marty's Mowing, established 1998.
Fun Fact: A sometime singer/songwriter, Martin fronted local rock band Janitor Bob and the Armchair Cowboys. You might have heard their "Happy Song", on B102.7's Friday Drive at 5, as they are kind enough to play it still after all these years.
When he isn’t busy working and moonlighting as a rock star, Martin enjoys hiking and camping, is a sucker for sunsets and the full moon, and is an amateur nature photographer, whenever he gets the chance.
April Bolton is the Associate Director at Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota in the Behavioral Health Department. April has been a counselor for 11 years and a Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health. She got her bachelor’s degree at Augustana College (University) and master’s degree from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
She has done specialized training particularly in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) which helps people reprocess past trauma and negative beliefs about themselves. April also loves to work with couples using Gottman Couples counseling.
In her years at LSS, she has helped develop the school based mental health program called PATH, which brings mental health counselors to around 40 area schools. Non-professionally, she is a long distance runner and a member of the board for Sioux Falls Women Run, a local running group for women that also provides scholarships for young women runners going into college. April is the mother of a lovely 8 year old daughter and the wife to an amazing husband.
Dick Montanez is originally from San Francisco, CA. He graduated from Pacific Union College in 2013, with a BA in theology. Dick received his M.S. in Chaplaincy from Loma Linda University in 2017. Dick has worked as a chaplain since 2015, primarily working in Palliative Care and Hospice.
Dick is a professional chaplain at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls (2019) and the English pastor at the Church of God, Seventh Day (2021), in Sioux Falls. Dick is engaged to be married to Susan Knight in August 2021. Dick is the proud father of two adult sons, Ricardo and Walterio Montanez.
Adam Dale Jorgensen (he/him) is currently the Vice Chair of Equality South Dakota. Prior to joining Equality South Dakota, Adam served at Sioux Falls Pride as president, worked as the communications and development coordinator at NARAL Pro-Choice South Dakota, helped folks at LifeScape secure employment, and led a team of 250 volunteers at Sanford Hospice. Over the last several years, Adam has immersed himself in the area non-profit advocacy world with the goal of unifying and emboldening advocates from across the state.
Adam is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls and Southeast Technical Institute with majors focusing on marketing, project management, and graphic design.
Steve Lindquist has devoted his career to helping others. He was appointed Administrator of the South Dakota Human Services Center in the wake of a crisis at that facility. At that time, he was the youngest Administrator in that facility's 100+ year history.
He led the design and construction of the George S. Mickelson Center for the Neurosciences and served as Director of Mental Health for the State of South Dakota, making him one of only two people to have that dual role.
As the executive leader of Avera Behavioral Health, he expanded treatment programs and led the design and construction of the Avera Behavioral Health Center. The number of outpatients served by his programs is well over 100,000. He is currently the project director of The Link in Sioux Falls.
Toni Diamond is the current Vice President of the Black Hills Center for Equality. Toni brings energy, thoughtfulness, and encouragement to the Board with her easygoing smile and desire to bring equality to the Black Hills.
Cody Ingle has lived in Sioux Falls for about seven years. He currently works as an Application Support Specialist at the Center for Family Medicine and as a bartender at Lucky’s Bar in downtown Sioux Falls.
He serves as the Vice President of Sioux Falls Pride, which he has been a part of for about three years. He organized the first Pride Parade in Sioux Falls. He is passionate about advocacy work, specifically within the LGBTQ2S+ community. Cody also serves as the Political Director for the Young Democrats of South Dakota and is on the Board of Directors for Pathways to Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces.
Cody strives to help ensure that equity exists in Sioux Falls for the LGBTQ2S+ community. In his free time, Cody enjoys spending time with his partner, Josh, his close friends, and catching up on the latest novels, movies, and TV shows.
Susan Williams (she/her) is a self- described “mama bear” of a transgender child and an advocate for LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit rights. She founded The Transformation Project in 2019 and The Transformation Project Advocacy Network in 2020 in Sioux Falls, SD. Susan is married to her college sweetheart Jeremy, and together they have two kids and a mini golden-doodle in Sioux Falls.
Growing up, Jill Janecke lived on a farm in rural Minnesota. She graduated from South Dakota State University in 2005 with a Masters of Science in Counseling. Since then, she has been working with children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families. She has had a private practice since April 2009. Jill moved to Pierre and opened her private practice there in January 2013. In 2019, she was blessed with the opportunity and dream to bring more quality clinicians to her practice. In 2020, she expanded her dream to bring quality care to other rural areas throughout South Dakota for people to have access to mental health care.
Jill's theoretical approach is solution focused, client centered, family systems, energy psychology, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. She is EMDR certified, which has changed the dynamic of her therapy. She has been blessed to witness changes with children and adults through this technique – it has been life changing!
In her personal life, Jill enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys mindlessness in nature, reading, boating, and relaxing with her husband and children. She moved to the beautiful Pierre area in December 2012 and has been very excited to be a part of such a welcoming community.
Amy Rambow was born and raised in South Dakota. She's been married to her husband Lance for 22 years, and they have 3 children: Dylan 19, Alex 16, and Julian 10. Amy is the president and founder of Watertown Love. Amy and Watertown Love are always looking for an adventure.
Sydney Bartunek Bender is the founder of Move To Heal South Dakota and describes this role as honoring her soul. She grew up dancing from a young age and has always felt a deep passion to give back through the healing power of movement. After Sydney experienced being a caregiver for over 10 years to her father, she was able to experience first-hand the hope, joy, and healing that the arts in health provided. In 2019, she took this inspiration, passion, and experience to another level and created this nonprofit organization that aims to serve South Dakota and the region with movement-based programming in healthcare and community settings with an emphasis to reach rural locations without access to movement programming.
Sydney also works full-time in the Sanford Health Marketing Department and is active in the LiRa Dance Theatre Company and the South Dakota yoga community. Sydney graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Media & Journalism with an emphasis in PR & Advertising and is a certified yoga instructor.
Kari Johnston is originally from Watertown, SD, and graduated in 1986. She attended SDSU and then taught high school English for 4 years. She returned to get her masters degree from SDSU in counseling.
Kari worked at a community mental health center and addictions placement in Iowa for 3 years before returning to Watertown as the Children and Family Coordinator at HSA in 2000. She was promoted to COO of BH in 2005, then promoted to CEO in 2019. Kari is licensed as a professional counselor of mental health and a qualified mental health professional.
Sarah Wesch lives in Roscoe, SD with her husband and children. She is the wife of a local rancher and the manager at their local gas station. Sarah grew up with mental health challenges and realized as she got older the impact it has. Sarah is a young adult volunteer for NAMI South Dakota and shares her story of living with a mental health challenge.
Wendy Giebink is the current Executive Director of NAMI South Dakota and has been in that position for 8 years. Before taking on the ED role, Wendy was the Family to Family Program Coordinator at NAMI South Dakota. Previous to NAMI South Dakota Wendy worked for the Sioux Falls School District as their Homeless Liaison for 18 years and has been an educator most of her adult life. Wendy is passionate in helping others share their stories and values honesty, compassion, perseverance, and grace. She is the mother of 3 adult children and the grandmother of two grandchildren.
Madeline Miller is Nurse Manager of The Link, Sioux Falls’s new community triage center. After completing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at South Dakota State University, she began her healthcare career at Avera McKennan Behavioral Health. As a registered nurse certified in Psychiatric and Mental Health nursing, she loves serving people by helping them navigate through life’s most difficult moments toward a future of hope and recovery.
Carla Miller has a Masters Degree in Special Education and Doctorate in Special Education. She has worked as a university instructor teaching upper level coursework on assessment, Learning Disabilities, classroom management, and behaviors, as an Early Childhood Administrator, an outreach educator, and an educator on evaluation teams. She has conducted trainings on autism, behaviors, and early childhood.
Carla currently serves on the state's Part B Interagency Coordinating Council. She currently serves on the Secretary of Educations Committee on Opportunity which is looking at achievement outcomes for South Dakota's economically disadvantaged learners. Carla also serves as a representative for Parent Trainings Centers with the National Center for Systemic Improvement serving on the Low Performing Schools Team, Family Engagement Resource Team, and Stakeholder and Family Engagement Team.
She is a parent of two sons, one with ADHD and Anxiety Disorder.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Cathy Simonds comes to NAMI SD with several years of personal and volunteer experience with mental health conditions, and is a certified Family to Family instructor and Support Group Facilitator. As a retiree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Cathy also has professional and volunteer experience as well as public speaking skills. Cathy is also a new presenter for Ending the Silence, and is looking forward to leading school and parent presentations.
Cathy will be leading NAMI South Dakota’s efforts in local partnerships and activities in Rapid City, with the assistance of the NAMI Rapid City advisory group. She will also be working with the One Heart campus to help individuals and families find mental health education and resources.
Cathy and her husband, Dave, moved to the Black Hills in September 2019, to be closer to their growing grandchildren. Cathy enjoys spending time walking, skiing, reading, and craft projects, and hiking the Black Hills with her 2 fur babies, Coco and Mia.
Darlene Braun is someone who is sharing her story of living with and loving someone with a mental health condition. She will be sharing her story as the opening keynote speaker for the Women’s Conference organized by Rising Hope 605 on April 23rd. Darlene speaks about the difficult journey between loving and enabling your loved one with a mental health challenge. One must accept them for who they are, recognize the effect of their behaviors, and advocate for them, all the while working towards balanced mental health.
Dr. Jay Kahl is the Assistant Vice Provost for Assessment and Academic Excellence at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. He considers himself a Buddhist or Taoist, and meditation is a part of his daily life. He has been leading guided meditation sessions for students at Augustana, and brings his practice to this week's episode of Why We NAMI.
Zebiba graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of South Dakota. Currently Zebiba works at Lutheran Social Services as a family therapist as well as leading Aggression Replacement training classes for adolescents between the age of 13 – 18 under the Juvenile Justice reinvestment initiative. Before LSS, Zebiba worked for many years with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Tobin was born and raised in Flandreau, SD, with his two sisters and mom. He attended undergrad at Black Hills State University where he studied elementary education. After about five years of teaching, Tobin went back to school and earned his masters degree in school counseling, and last year he completed a specialist degree in educational leadership. His counseling experience includes ten years at the middle school level, and this is his first year working at Hawthorne Elementary. In the past Tobin has worked with the South Dakota School Counselor Association serving on numerous boards and roles including treasurer, technology chair, and also association president.
In addition, Tobin has been an active education consultant and speaker locally and nationally. Some topics include: video game/technology compulsion, social/emotional learning, and LGBTQ+ education.
In his spare time, he loves to play with his dogs, watch and play sports, and travel as much as possible. He currently lives with his partner and enjoys the company of his four kids part-time.
Hailey Nold is a student at Augustana University studying psychology and Spanish with an emphasis in clinical counseling, She is passionate about mental health advocacy and research.
Currently, she is a Communications Intern for SD EPSCoR, where she produces media content for the organization’s platforms and communicate with researchers about the various events and publications procured by SD EPSCoR. She is also a Social Media Intern for the Augustana University Office of Admissions, where she creates and manages content aimed at prospective students. If that is not enough, she is also the President of organizations on campus: Psi Chi, Lost&Found, and University Chorale.
As a part of her Augustana experience, she has found a passion for mental health activism. She has been continually working on a research project about how systemically non-dominant students perceive their on-campus counseling clinic through measures of awareness, efficacy beliefs, and willingness to engage. After Augustana, Hailey plans to attend graduate school for clinical mental health.
Christy Alten-Osmera has worked 26 years with Keystone Treatment Center, primarily with adolescents. She has experience working residential, outpatient and in the schools. She is currently the program director and clinical supervisor for the inpatient adolescent unit at Keystone. She is a certified non-violent crisis intervention instructor. She is an internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor, a licensed substance abuse counselor, and a licensed professional counselor of mental health, as well as a qualified mental health professional for SD. She is on the state of SD’s Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and SBIRT subcommittee. She sits on the board for the National Rural Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Institute.
Christy obtained her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Walden University, based out of Minneapolis, MN. Her undergrad work was at the University of South Dakota, where Christy received her Bachelor’s degree in biology and allied health (alcohol and drug abuse studies).
Outside of Keystone, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 children, and multiple pets (some say a small zoo!). She loves the outdoors, photography, and is actively involved in her local church.
Tim Neyhart has a B.S. in Secondary Education. He has been an active member of a number of disability policy work groups concerning special education, mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and other related topics. He is the past chair of the Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired Rehabilitation Advisory Council, past member of the Division of the Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Council, etc. In 1998, Tim was recognized with the Governor’s Advisory Council Distinguished Service Award.
Tim began his career with DRSD on January 1, 1990. He is now the Executive Director. He says that he likes helping people to identify the things that are important to them and assisting them to achieve those things.
Dr. Paulson is a teacher of pastors or ministers and other church leaders who are working in a church or as chaplains. He has joined the Luther House of Study, which is part of the Sioux Falls Seminary, and holds the chair of Lutheran Theology at the Seminary. Dr. Steven has a doctorate in systematic theology from the Lutherans School of Theology in Chicago, and has taught at Luther Seminary in St. Paul and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He also is an ordained pastor. He grew up in Wisconsin, and was a Pastor at a church in Door County Wisconsin, on Washington Island.
Dr. Steven has family in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and he and his wife Crystal are enjoying life in Sioux Falls SD these past three years, and hope for many more. Dr. Steven has written many books in theology, with a new one out this week called the Outlaw God.
A longtime resident of the Sunshine State, Brooke Allen knows her theme parks. She’s a former middle and high school teacher whose passion for education has now shifted toward public health.
The promise of personalized medicine drew her to the All of Us Research Program. With a one-year-old son and another on the way, the hope of improving health for generations to come is something she can whole-heartedly support.
Brooke holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Central Florida and enjoys community theater and plant-based cooking.
Benson Lang'at received a Masters in Social Work from The University of South Dakota and is currently a Clinical Social Worker (CSW) and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) at Family Service, Inc. Sioux Falls, SD. In addition, he is a Level II Certified Running Coach through Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). He is also an RRCA South Dakota State Representative. Benson is an Elite Distance Runner who was named to the 2020 Boston Marathon Honorary Team.
Angie Collignon is a Court Services Officer for Codington County Drug Court. She has held this position for the last 3 years, and has worked for UJS in various roles since 2007
Angie was born in Watertown but left for college and didn’t return until 2016. She graduated with a BS from SDSU with a major in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice.
Donald “Lee” Gabel is in the third year of his second term as a county commissioner. As commissioner, Lee has focused on justice and public safety. He continues to lead the effort to cost-effectively fix the problems of undersized and aging jail and court facilities. Lee is also working with other county and community officials to address the problem of mental illness in our jail and to maximize appropriate alternatives to jail. Lee has spearheaded an effort over several legislative sessions to make counties less dependent on property tax to fund infrastructure projects.
Before being elected, he retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of colonel after over 27 years of military service. In addition to county duties, he also works as a consultant for the U.S. Army and as an institutional researcher at Lake Area Technical College.
He and his wife, Anne, also stay involved with Christian non-profit work. Gabel holds a BA degree, two master’s degrees, and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. His marriage in 1985 to Anne established a permanent tie to Codington County. After retiring from the Army, he and his family settled in Watertown in 2012. Lee and Anne, have five children.
Mallory and Angela spend this episode discussing the struggles of 2020 and helpful coping strategies for 2021 and beyond.
Tristen Jackson is from Le Mars, Iowa -- a.k.a. "the ice cream capital of the world." He graduated high school in 2013 and went to a community college known as Western Iowa Tech. There Tristan pursued becoming a PTA, but realized that wasn’t the population of people he wanted to work with. Tristan switched to getting a Personal Training Certification where he realized the same thing. In 2015, Tristan transferred to the University of Sioux Falls where he got his Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science. While in college in Sioux Falls, Tristan started working at Kids Inc, where he found his love for working with children.
Dr. Kelly Bass has a bachelors of social work degree from the University of Sioux Falls, a masters in social work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and completed his doctorate in clinical social work and leadership at the University of Tennessee in 2015. Currently he is the Master of Social Work program director at the University of South Dakota and continues to engage in clinical and supervisory practice throughout South Dakota. His research focuses on the impact clinical supervision has on clinical competencies and improving integrated approaches for streamlined referral and access to public and behavioral health care services.
Dr. Bass continues to provide mental health treatment to at-risk youth, families, and adults who are involved in the social services and court system through forensic evaluations, crisis intervention, and ongoing clinical treatment. On a larger context, he has worked with clinics, healthcare systems, and service providers as a consultant to improve services provided to children and families. He is a nationally approved clinical supervisor and has provided clinical supervision to developing social workers, counselors, and other mental health providers since 2003.
Christie Lueth has worked in the mental health field for the past 15 years. She attended The University of South Dakota for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She obtained her Bachelors of Social Work in 2005 and graduated with her Masters of Social Work in 2012.
Christie is currently licensed as a CSW-PIP in the state of South Dakota. She recently completed required play therapy coursework at South Dakota State University in order to seek her Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential. Christie specializes in mental health and early childhood. She currently provides consultation and oversight of the assisted living facility at her agency, which houses 24 residents living with a mental health diagnosis and is also the Early Childhood Program Director. She has experience in case management, administration, program development, supervision, and clinical therapy.
Christie serves as NAMI SD's Board Chair and was recently appointed to South Dakota's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Christie loves staying busy with work, volunteering and spending time with family. Christie lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, Brad, and their two children, Elliot and Mallory. Her family just got a new puppy, Jack.
Kendall Cornick is a recent graduate of Augustana University and will be attending medical school in the fall. She has volunteered with NAMI South Dakota for over a year now and shares her story living with a mental health challenge.
Jill Tyler grew up on a small farm in southwest Iowa, and worked for nonprofit organizations prior to earning graduate degrees from the University of Iowa. Currently chair of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of South Dakota, her academic life has been devoted to teaching and researching in areas of relational communication and health communication. Married and the mother of five grown children, Jill has lived in South Dakota for more than twenty years, serving as a volunteer to promote literacy, food programs, health initiatives, and arts organizations.
Kristy Bonde earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and received her certification in Arts Administration from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Kristy started her job as Education and Community Engagement Manager with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2017, and delights in making meaningful connections with others and coordinating programs such as the Music Composition Academies, Bridging Cultures, Music as Medicine, Retirement Series, and more.
Kelly Gibson has more than two decades of direct nonprofit management experience. Throughout her career, she has developed and administered programs that address important community issues, particularly in rural and Native American communities. She has assisted hundreds of organizations to design and launch effective programs, create evaluation frameworks, develop strategic plans, and build systems that continuously improve their results. She has deep experience helping nonprofits assess their strategy and operations, and facilitate planning to move their mission forward.
Andrew Burroughs was born and raised in Sioux Falls. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Andrew received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The University of Minnesota-Morris in 2013. He obtained a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of South Dakota. He continued his education and is currently working to finish his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from USD. Andrew is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health (South Dakota) and a National Certified Counselor. He has an interest in working with individuals of all ages on a wide variety of presenting concerns. Andrew has experience working in mental health centers and private practice in SD and MN.
Charity Doyle holds a degree in Civil & Environmental engineering. She started out in the industry as a water resources engineer. However, wanting the freedom and flexibility to have both a career and a family on her own terms, she launched a consulting and marketing firm which led into marketing and sales training on both national and international fronts. Soon after, she obtained certification in life and business coaching, working with individuals and business owners all over the world for many years.
Eventually, the desire for a slower-paced life prompted her to leave Minneapolis to return to her home town of Rapid City. There, Charity began focusing on giving back to the community, starting with utilizing her coaching skills to tutor detainees at Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center on a volunteer basis, helping them obtain their GEDs. She then ventured into public service, serving six years on the Rapid City Common Council in addition to serving as executive director for a small nonprofit.
Charity is now Executive Director of OneHeart, a campus designed to created viable pathways out of poverty for the Rapid City area.
Kelli Rumpza is a Certified Prevention Specialist and has been at the Human Service Agency since 1998. She is the Program Director for the Watertown Healthy Youth Initiative, whose mission is to collaborate with local resources to build a safe and healthy community for our youth, focusing on alcohol, tobacco, suicide and other social issues that impact our youth. This includes facilitating several community coalitions such as Glacial Lakes SAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone).
SaLena Engles is a very busy mom of three active boys: twins age 13, and a 16 year old in Watertown SD. She is the Vice President of the Bramble Park Zoo board, President of the Upside of Downs, and Co-Chair of the Special Olympics. She is also serving as the campaign chair for the United Way this year.
Tim Hazlett is the Principal of Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is dedicated to creating a school environment where all students are welcome. Sioux Falls Roosevelt has embraced the slogan “We are Roosevelt! We are One!”. The dedication and commitment to the goal of creating a safe environment where all students are accepted for who they are has produced inclusivity as a part of the culture at Roosevelt High School.
Wendy Olson is from Watertown, SD. She is the Project SUCCESS coordinator at Watertown Senior High School. Wendy has worked in prevention education in the school setting for the last 12+ years and is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
Wendy is married and has been blessed with 2 grown children and a granddaughter.
Amy Lupkes did her undergrad at SDSU and then received her master's at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. After receiving her master’s degree, she moved back to South Dakota and is currently in her 20th year as a school counselor. Amy is also a mom of three busy, active girls!
Julie Moore is a certified trainer of the ASIST workshop for suicide first aid, presenter for SuivideTALK with LivingWorks, and a certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper instructor for the last 12 years. She started the Foundation of Hope with the mission to decrease the stigma of mental illness, educate the public about suicide prevention, and promote a culture of kindness and self-care. She is also a certified trainer for Leadership Plenty, which teaches leadership skills that enable graduates to confidently identify problems in their communities, and implement a plan of action to combat those problems. Julie is a Professional Life Coach currently working on her certification. She is from Murdo, SD, and works in Pierre at Avera St. Mary’s Foundation as a Suicide Prevention Training Coordinator and Data Specialist/Gift Processor.
Erik Muckey began his term as Executive Director of Lost&Found in 2018, but his presence in the organization has been felt for much longer. Erik helped form the original Board of Directors in 2010 and was responsible for leading and advising the founding chapter teams at the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. Erik uses this experience and passion to shape a new vision and structure for Lost&Found. Erik most recently served as the President of Lost&Found’s Board of Directors, taking over the reins in August 2014 from co-founder Dennis “DJ” Smith.
Erik was raised in Corsica, SD and is a graduate of the University of South Dakota (BBA in Economics, 2014) and the University of Minnesota (Master of Public Policy (MPP) / Master of Business Administration (MBA) / Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNM), 2020). Erik is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Before joining Lost&Found as its Executive Director, Erik began his career in municipal government and financial services, serving in various financial analysis, consulting, project management, and strategy roles for the City of Sioux Falls, RGP, MetaBank, and Sunrise Banks.
Outside of Lost&Found, Erik is the founder and Managing Partner of PASQ, a professional services outsourcing and consulting firm for rural economic development agencies and serves as a board member or adviser to several social ventures spanning Minnesota and South Dakota. He currently resides in St. Paul, MN.
Brian Assam is certified in Vinyasa and Kundalini yoga and is a trained breathwork facilitator, where he assists groups and individuals in their growth process. Brian started a number of businesses based in technology and yoga, holds two patents in an award-winning Artificial Intelligence Web Technology, and manages a 200 acre family farm for wildlife habitat and future development. Brian believes we are all here on this earth for a reason and the circumstances of our lives (no matter how difficult they may seem) are to assist in the process of human evolution.
Alecia Heimes is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist trained in behavior change and modification; learning and memory; mental health identification, prevention and treatment; counseling and skill development; consultation; neuropsychology; evolutionary psychology; mindfulness; the power of the mind/body connection; and many other areas. She uses somatic practices as a Registered Yoga Teacher, energy psychology and spiritual connection as a Reiki practitioner. On top of that she is a busy mom of 3.
Dave McNeil grew up in the southeast part of the state and attended the University of South Dakota, graduating with a degree in criminal justice. Upon the completion of college, Dave was hired by the Aberdeen Police department as an officer in 1992.
Over the years Dave has held many duties, assignments, and responsibilities within the department. Dave worked in many supervisory capacities over the years, ultimately being promoted to the Chief's position in 2014. Dave is a graduate of the FBI national academy. As the chief, Dave has focused on serving and continuing to improve the department and the community by using the police department's mission statement to guide his efforts.
Dave is married with three children. Two of his children attend NSU and his youngest is a senior in high school.
For Joan Zephier, art has been a lifelong influence on her. In 2007, she was able to get into recovery from her addictions. Initially Joan’s art was put on hold when getting sober, but the pull back to the arts would not stay quiet. In the Spring of 2013, Joan pursued her dream of creating and participating in an addiction and recovery art show. As the representative of Tallgrass Recovery & Sober Living Homes, she created the Recovery Art Show. The idea behind the show was to raise awareness, to help erase the stigma of addiction, and to tell the story of recovery.
In 2016, Joan won the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for Visual Arts for her work with area high school students in creating art that tells the struggles and triumphs of their lives -- not only addiction, but also many other mental health issues.
Joan works in many mediums to express her life, always seeking to communicate a spiritual and human connection in her art. Her continued focus remains on the stories of herself and others, creating pieces that show both the struggles and the hard won victories we all have in life. Joan currently lives in Sioux Falls and has 4 children.
Sharon Chontos graduated from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a chemical engineering degree. Her corporate background was in the oil and gas and renewable energy industries. However, like many of us, she pivoted her degree to adjust to raising a family. She and her business partner, Rachel Oelmann, have owned and operated Sage Project Consultants since 2010. They provide grant management, strategic planning, and program evaluation services to state agencies, universities, and non-profits including the South Dakota's Department of Social Services Division of Behavioral Health. Sharon is now serving as interim President of SD Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement. Sharon has three kids in college and is enrolled in a master's program herself.
Joan DeFilippo has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit development and event fundraising. She has worked in various capacities at nonprofit organizations, including Komen, Avon 39, and most recently the American Heart Association. Over the years, she has learned successful fundraising strategies, working with many large corporations to secure company teams and sponsorships. Joining NAMIWalks has been a wonderful learning experience, and she’s incorporated her love of fundraising and knowledge of development and corporate partnerships into the NAMIWalks structure.
Travis Jacobs is back to talk about his latest book "Limes & Lions: Grief Reflections from the Desert." Travis is an author, storyteller, teacher, and radio host.
Sarah Van Voorst has been an officer with the Sioux Falls Police Department since 2015. During this time she has been an active member of the Recruiting Team, the Well-Being Team, Coffee with a Cop, and the Crisis Negotiation Unit. Prior to starting with the SFPD, Sarah worked at LifeScape for 9 years as a case manager working with adults with disabilities.
Marilyn Charging is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. She is a retired school administrator, devoted mother and grandmother and a sewing enthusiast. She is also the Education and Outreach Consultant for NAMI South Dakota.
Taté Walker is Mniconjou Lakota and a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. They are an award-winning Two Spirit storyteller for outlets like “The Nation,” “Everyday Feminism," and “Indian Country Today.” Their work appears in the award-winning FIERCE: Essays by and About Dauntless Women (Nauset Press, 2018), and their first full-length book, Thunder Thighs & Trickster Vibes, is forthcoming from Mango Publishing. Learn more at www.jtatewalker.com.
golnesa asheghAli was born to Iranian parents and spent the majority of her life in northern Virginia. About six years ago, she moved to occupied Oceti Sakowin Territory where she lives and works as an educator and organizer in Rapid City. Hear about her experience being a minority in South Dakota, and what led her to teaching.
This week's guest is Joshua Duncan. Joshua is a pastor, counselor, and speaker whose passion is to help people unbecome to become! Hear him talk about growing up black in South Dakota, and what led him to become an Addiction Treatment Counselor for Carroll Institute in Sioux Falls, SD.
This week's guest is Serene Thin Elk. Serene is Co-Founder of Generation Red Road, Inc. and is a licensed mental health and addiction counselor. She is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Nation (Yankton Sioux Tribe) and is also from the Sicangu Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe). She is passionate about addressing patterns of inter-generational transmission, and finding ways to help individuals, families and communities heal from the effects of historical traumas.
This week's guest is Dr. Karla Abbott. Karla is an Associate Professor who teaches behavioral health nursing at Augustana University. Her current research is focused on the efficacy of Lakota Talking Circles for young women who are pregnant. Hear the challenges she’s faced as a Lakota woman in academia, and learn her tips for young people as they transition into higher education.
This week's guest is Rachel Polan. Rachel has been volunteering with Sioux Falls Pride for 3 years, and works in marketing at her day job. She works everyday for intersectionality in Pride, and in her personal life advocates for mental health awareness and acceptance for neurodivergent people. Hear how she deals with depression and anxiety, and learn how you can get involved in Sioux Falls Pride's 20 year anniversary celebration on June 20, 2020.
This week's guest is Travis Jacobs. Travis is an author, storyteller, teacher, and radio host. Hear about his struggles with loss and addiction, and learn how he overcame adversity using awareness, practice, and courage.
This week's guest is Matt Walz. Matt is a Medical Affairs Specialist at Keystone Treatment Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Hear about his advocacy efforts for those living with mental health conditions and substance abuse issues.
This week's guest is Emily Small. Emily works in Guest Services at Tallgrass Recovery & Sober Living Homes. Hear about her own story of recovery, and how she deals with depression and anxiety using dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness meditation, and gratitude.
This week's guest is Jae Csongradi. Jae is a licensed clinical social worker at Rising Hope Counseling in Pierre, SD. Hear how social work became her passion, and how she uses hope to lift up herself and others.
This week's guest is Alicia Andal. Alicia is the Constituent Relations Assistant for NAMI South Dakota. Hear how she’s dealing with the coronavirus shutdown while working from home as a single mother. Learn her methods for staying connected and staying positive in these uncertain times.
Why We NAMI is a podcast that explores the subject of mental health, helping you stay connected, stay informed, and stay well. Why We NAMI is brought to you by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) South Dakota, whose mission is to provide education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness. Subscribe today so you'll be notified when the first episode is released on May 13th!