Why We NAMI - A Mental Health Podcast

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 whose mission 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.