SPS Podcasts

Conversations with members of the SPS community.

In the final episode of our mental health podcast series, we spoke to the director of SPS's mental health services department, Dr. Dave Crump, about the behavioral and emotional health reactions we experience following a crisis and how we can turn any feelings of disillusionment into feelings of resiliency. Dr. Crump also explains the REST model the district is using to improve staff’s mental wellbeing and how you can use it in your own life. Published Jan. 8, 2021.

In this episode, we speak with Danielle Allen, who is the therapist at Adams Elementary. The conversation is only 10 minutes long, but we cover a lot of ground -- from the importance of knowing you’re not alone to the one simple thing parents and guardians can do to help their student through a tough time. Published Jan. 4, 2021.

In this episode, we spoke with Kristi Mathistad, who is one of the district’s chemical dependency professionals. She helps students struggling to control their substance abuse. We go into what her job entails, the common issues she sees, and how she helps her clients achieve their goals of sobriety. Published Dec. 31, 2020.

In this episode, we speak with Natalie Sarria-Wiley, who is one of the therapists at Rogers High School. Natalie is a Rogers grad herself – as well as a woman of color – who shared some of the mental health challenges she’s seen in her community, as well as why we put so much stock into our physical wellness but not our mental wellness. Published Dec. 28, 2020.

In this episode, North Central's mental health therapist Kati Kelsey joins us to talk about the holidays! This is a stressful time of year for lots of reasons and Kati reveals how she helps her clients - many of whom find the holidays quite traumatic - navigate this challenging season. Published Dec. 21, 2020.

As the mental health therapists at Map Middle and High School, Michelle Owen and Tara Brown help a lot of students progress and succeed in the program. In this episode of our mental health podcast series, Michelle and Tara share what makes Map graduations one of the most touching experiences of their careers. Published Dec. 17, 2020

In this episode, we talk with Brittany Haugen, the mental health therapist at Salk Middle School. Brittany explains whether your problems are big or small, they are still your problems, and luckily people like her are around to listen and help you through whatever life is throwing your way. Published: Dec. 14, 2020

Welcome to the first episode of the SPS podcast series on mental health. Over the next few weeks, we will talk with some of our district's mental health therapists in hopes of shedding light on the struggles we are all experiencing this year, as well as what we can do to help us or our loved ones feel better. Published: Dec. 9, 2020