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.