Mental illness nonprofit Independence Center names new executive director
Independence Center, a St.Louis-based nonprofit that assists individuals with chronic mental illness, has named a new executive director. Trish Holmes, who spent the last three years as CFO of the nonprofit, is Independence Center’s new executive director. She, along with Operations Manager Jennifer Higginbotham, served as interim executive director over the past year. Mark Bethell resigned from […]
Episode 20 – A Phoenix Rising: Relearning to Live with Mental Illness
This week we are talking with long time Independence Center member, Steve Whyte. Steve has had a long journey with his mental health recovery and describes the journey like a phoenix rising from the ashes. We are going to spend some time getting to know him, learning about the importance of safe and supportive housing […]
Episode 19 – Addressing Global Mental Health with Jack Yatsko
This week I am speaking with Jack Yatsko, Chief Operating Officer at Clubhouse International. Jack’s role includes overseeing the programs at Clubhouse International, new clubhouse development, training, and supporting training bases. He has been in the social work field for his entire career. He has a master’s in Social Work and started his Clubhouse career […]
Episode 18 – Living with High Functioning Depression & Anxiety
This week I’d like to introduce Danielle Rose. Danielle is a program participant or what we refer to as member at Independence Center. Danielle has recently returned to work after a seven-year gap in her employment. We are going to be talking to her about her experience as a member of Independence Center, how and […]
Help to prevent suicides, the leading cause of death for people 10 to 34 years old
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is the leading cause of death among people age 10 to 34. Almost half of those people had a diagnosed mental health condition. Trish Holmes is the executive director of the Independence Center. She talks about what we all can do to help prevent […]
Episode 17 – The Power of Performance Art in Managing Mental Health
This week we are talking with Angelo Blanchard, Katie Hayes and Paula Heller. Katie is the outreach coordinator at STAGES St Louis. If you have not heard of Stages, it is a local theatre that is committed to preserving and advancing the art form of musical theatre through excellence in performance and education. Paula is […]
Episode 16 – A Better Way: Moving from Addiction to Mental Wellness with Brian Weddington
Today I’d like to introduce Brian Weddington. Brian is a newer member at Independence Center, coming into services in 2020. Since joining Independence Center, he has become a peer specialist, completed his HiSET, enrolled at UMSL, moved into his own apartment, and has started interviewing for different jobs. We are going to spend a little […]
Episode 15 – Zero Suicide with Kirsten Sierra & Maria Needham
We are going to be talking about Zero Suicide, which promotes safer care for those at risk of suicide. Zero Suicide believes that suicide is preventable and that the only acceptable number of losses due to errors in quality of care is zero. Today I am speaking with Kirsten Sierra, who has both her MSW […]
Episode 14 – The Conversation Starts Here with Jordan Palmer
This week I am talking one of Independence Center’s Community Support Specialists, Jordan Palmer. Jordan has been working as a CSS for 3 years and is current pursuing her masters in social work at Washington University in St. Louis. Aside from managing a caseload, Jordan also is very involved with Independence Center’s Diversity, Equity […]
Episode 13 – Black Girl, Bleu
Today I am talking to Sharee Silerio. Sharee Silerio is a St. Louis-born, raised and based writer, director and producer who focuses on telling stories where Black women + girls exist as full human beings on screen and feel seen, heard, loved and affirmed beyond the screen. She recently completed her fourth short documentary Black Girl, […]
