The Mental Wellness Project Archive
The Mental Wellness Project is a solutions-oriented journalism initiative covering mental health issues in Southwest Michigan, created by the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative.
This is a new project built to:
- LISTEN to Southwest Michigan community members about the issues affecting mental wellness
- LEARN how we can improve access to mental health services and supports to build healthier, happier communities
- REPORT on effective approaches that can remove barriers to mental health services
A college student that works part time, a working parent with a young child, and one adult juggling several jobs: What do they all have in common? Each is maintaining a balancing act just to get through the day. Finding a healthy balance in our responsibilities like work, parenting, and education, is important in maintaining a good mental and physical health, according to Grand Canyon University.
When Carmen Alcaraz moved to Kalamazoo in 2017, she came with hope of a new life filled with fresh opportunities. Instead, she was met with more challenges than she could’ve expected.
When Joy Morris-Burton and Aerick Burton first crossed paths on a walk near their respective homes in Kalamazoo’s Vine neighborhood years ago, there was an instant connection that poets write about and painters portray with pastels.