Health

Many people think of the arts and the sciences as completely separate worlds. But as KBIA’s Grace Kenyon reports, when it comes to medicine, these two disciplines are closer than you might think.

Eviction filings wedge renters deeper into housing situations that are often already limited or unstable — even when they don't result in the loss of a physical home.

Teens Mylee Hawkins and Jessi Johnson are competitive figure skaters who met at the Jefferson City ice rink. The sport is very physically and mentally demanding, so they spoke about how they’ve found support in each other.

The Wardrobe is a local Columbia thrift store where anyone can find clothes at a reasonable price. But Tuesdays are specifically for people with referrals, which allow them to get free clothing once a month.

In October, a deadly school shooting occurred at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School (CVPA) in St. Louis City. Student Alexzandria Bell and teacher Jean Kuczka, were killed. Seven others were injured. Students from the school gathered at the Capitol in Jefferson City to speak with legislators about gun violence.

Debi Hake is a licensed professional counselor with the Marriage and Family Counseling Center in Columbia. One of her specialty areas is spiritual abuse and religious trauma.She spoke about how religious trauma impacts how people navigate mental health care.

Jessica Chambers, a peer support specialist at the Reentry Opportunity Center in Columbia (the ROC), works with folks who are coming out of prison – helping them connect to housing, treatment, and just a sense of community.

Cameron Reitan, a second year Master’s of Public Health student at the University of Missouri, who’s also employed as a personal care attendant – essentially, she’s hired by people with disabilities to help them with whatever tasks they need.She spoke about why she does this work and a little about what people misunderstand about caregiving.

On a side street off of Business Loop 70 in Columbia is an unassuming office. Large dark windows make it hard to see inside. But the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the booming voice of Julian Jackman, the executive director of People Embracing Another Choice Effectively, or P.E.A.C.E. Jackman was in prison for 17 years. Now, he helps others who have recently come out of prison.P.E.A.C.E. helps people get identification, housing or whatever else they might need to reenter society after incarceration. But even before that, they work on getting people released as well as who they’re going to live with.

As the saying goes, sometimes nature and fresh air can be the best medicine.Steve Buback is a natural history biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation and spends most of his day outdoors – dealing with various rare plants, insects and birds.He spoke about how exposure to nature can impact people’s mental and physical health, and a little bit about how the pandemic has shifted some people’s relationship with the outdoors.