Wednesday night, I had the privilege of presenting to a room full of compassionate volunteers dedicated to pastoral care—people who regularly show up in the quiet, difficult moments of others’ lives. We gathered to explore a timely and complex topic: social media, internet addiction, and their effects on mental health. I want to share some of that conversation with you here—not only because the topic is urgent, but because we at Prairie Sky Counseling Center believe in equipping communities with both empathy and understanding.

The vastness of the prairie sky inspires us. Its beauty—vibrant sunrises, fiery sunsets, massive storms, and the endless stretch of stars at night—often fills us with a sense of awe and wonder.

Those who live on the prairie learn to watch the sky. We know its ever-changing nature. We read the signs of the wind, the build-up of storm clouds, and the break of sunlight after the rain. We understand that storms come and go, that even the darkest skies eventually clear. And when the sun finally breaks through, it moves us—it reminds us that light and hope always return.

At Prairie Sky Counseling Center, we see this as a living metaphor for healing.

In times of political tension—especially during election seasons—it’s easy to retreat into an “us vs. them” mindset, reducing people with different beliefs to stereotypes instead of seeing them as complex individuals. We can all find ourselves swayed by these thought patterns.

Yet, science shows us that our well-being can improve when we challenge this instinct and choose to see the good in others—even those with whom we disagree.

Yesterday morning began bright and hopeful as the festivities of the Chiefs Parade unfolded against the backdrop of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day - a convergence of themes centered around our shared humanity and the beauty of love and connection. However, the day took a tragic turn as news of the shooting at the parade's end spread. Some of us learned about it because we were there and experienced the fear, terror, and feelings of helplessness firsthand. Others were frantically trying to find friends and family members, while still others watched their televisions in horror. We felt shock and grief and anger, even numbness.

So many experiences. So many feelings. All of them valid.

As October turns into November, many cultures around the world observe traditions that revolve around remembrance and honoring the dead. While All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and Samhain are unique celebrations with distinct origins, they share common themes and are interconnected. Prairie Sky Counseling Center staff and counselors understand and honor the diverse spiritual and religious traditions clients bring to the therapeutic relationship.

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.

Karl Barth

Earlier this week, Jen Wewers, executive director, and Brittany Talley, clinical director, were featured on KCUR's Up to Date program.

We are grateful to Steve Kraske and his team for inviting us on and helping us share the Prairie Sky story.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

When we went looking to find a graphic designer to help us professionalize our vision for the logo, we were referred to Melissa Deneher, principal of Honey Bee Creative.

Little did we know at the time, but Melissa had just finished a project for Humanities Kansas called Wild Words, a poetry chapbook. If you can't get a copy of the book, you can download it here.

Prairie Sky Counseling Center (formerly Kansas Missouri Mental Health Collaborative) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brittany Talley, MA, LCPC, LPC, RPT-S, as clinical director! Brittany's extensive experience in individual counseling, clinical supervision, programming and dedication to improving access to high-quality mental health counseling make her an invaluable asset as Prairie Sky's first clinical director.

The Kansas Missouri Mental Health Collaborative is excited to announce its official name change to Prairie Sky Counseling Center.

As Kansas Missouri Mental Health Collaborative leadership prepares to launch services later this summer, they recognized the need for a name that better captured its vision and mission, as well as the spirit of the community it serves. After careful consideration, the decision was made to adopt the name Prairie Sky Counseling Center.