Employee Spotlight

April Crandall

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?  

Contracted  - Grant Director, Project Management – Program/Policy Development

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?  

I took some psychology and sociology class in my undergraduate, realized how much I enjoyed the fields of study and decided to major in social work. My internship was at Wasatch House in Provo, Utah, a Fountain House (clubhouse model) originating from  New York City for individuals with mental illness. I especially loved the direct work I did with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia or other psychosis related disorders.  My dream is to eventually begin a Fountain House model clubhouse in Idaho Falls.  I graduated in Social work from BYU Provo and subsequently licensed as an LSW.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

I had a few professors that outlined the different helping professions related to psychology and social work.   Social work seemed like a pathway choice to be able to influence and assist many individuals and had many accessible employment opportunities

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

Our community has many hidden issues related to mental illness and addiction.  Many in our community don’t realize the extent of how these issues affect so many and contributes to our community struggling as a whole. My focus in my work is to assist and support individuals who are providing direct care to those with mental illness and addiction.  The assistance and support includes accessing and managing funding, business systems, and developing programs and policies that will allow individuals to effectively provide assistance to many.  Recovery is possible for anyone with struggling with mental health or addiction issues

What is something someone might not know about you?

My background of direct care – to include:  direct care with developmentally disabled adult in group home setting care plans, goals.  Assisted in developing and opening two memory care (dementia care) units.  Director and direct care social services in developmental disabled groups home and elderly care centers.   PSR (CBRS) groups and individual work for the first 5 years RHS was open.  RHS Case management functional assessments (what CDAs are now, but I acquired a diagnosis from their doc).

What are some of your interests / hobbies?  

Traveling, playing games/spending time with family and friends, reading, yard work.  I love premier league soccer – Liverpool is my team. I love the Eagles and Kansas City chiefs.  I enjoy attending professional sports matches or games.  I love my contract work for RHS and partners, helping to make a difference, working in incredible, inspiring, and hardworking teams.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?  

You are not there to fix the problems of those you serve.  You are there to influence, advocate, teach, support, listen, refer, link etc.   Self-determination and choice is the most powerful component in recovery.  Your work is not complete until the paperwork is done.  Documentation is what  keeps funding available to serve individuals in need, it keeps us accountable and on track in our work as helping professionals, and keeps us safe. 

Employee Spotlight

Dustin Medellin

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

Department Head over Community Based Services. I supervise our CBRS and Case Management workers.

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

My degree is in education, but after I graduated from ISU my sister was working for RHS and referred me for a job doing PSR. I continue to work in this field because I enjoy the work we do and the environment RHS provides for us to do our jobs.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

I have been able to work with many people at RHS that show great examples of how to help people. Ike Johnson and Blake Bingham have been great mentors to me and they are inspirations to me of how to make a career out of helping people.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

I feel like it is a great privilege to work with community members in Idaho Falls and the surrounding areas. We get a chance to help individuals improve their lives and as we do so, we strengthen our communities as well.

What is something someone might not know about you?

I have a twin brother, but lucky for him, we don’t look alike.

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

I love watching movies and playing games with my family. I have coached high school football for the last 16 years and spend most of my free time doing that.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Understand that everybody is different. A lot of jobs deal with numbers and spreadsheets or raw materials and products. But, we deal with people and when we show empathy and understanding towards how others feel or the situations they are in, we can help them progress and make improvements in their lives.

 

Being Intentional

    I set a goal this past year to have a word that I focused on. That word is intentional.  I realized that as I lived my life there were many things that I did not take note of or notice that are important.  Do you feel that in our lives we are constantly bombarded with distraction?  I feel that I am.  Here are a few ways to increase our ability to be intentional in our lives.

     Take time to meditate and be still.  There are many different apps and resources on Youtube to accomplish this.  We can meditate for one minute to 100 minutes a day.  Choose a time that works for you and be “intentional” about following through with it. 

     Be present.  Notice your surroundings and where you are.  If you are at work, be at work.  If you are at home, be home.  Be “intentional” about staying present in your immediate setting.  This can be hard but with practice can become second nature. 

     Limit screen time.  Recognize how much time you are spending on your phone or other media devices.  Set a goal and be “intentional” about following through with the time limit that you set.  We miss out on real life sometimes because we are staring at a screen. 

     Enhance your relationships.  Spend time with loved ones or people you care about.  Try to be present and “intentional” with your communication and the activities that you engage in with them. 

     Being “intentional” helps us to follow through with goals that we set, being present in our life, and having purpose. 

April Moedl, LCSW

Employee Spotlight

 Ben Wells

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

I am the Program Coordinator for our SUD Treatment, and work in Program Development.

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

After I finished college, I became a teacher and observed firsthand the struggles those students with mental health issues and substance abuse within the home experience. I felt called to support and advocate for these individuals, but knew in my role as an educator I could not make the impact necessary to create change. I decided to transition into social work and began working with teens and adults effected by mental health and substance use issues and have felt fulfilled ever since.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

The individuals, who lacked positive connections, support and resources that I have seen suffer in our community my entire life.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

I grew up here. I love this community. I love the people in our community. I love the beauty and the outdoor opportunities that are so unique to Southeast Idaho. Through my professional experience, I have witnessed so many tragedies within families and homes, recidivism and relapses of individuals I have worked with, and countless overdoses and deaths. I understand there are so many factors that play into these negative experiences, but truly believe that a lack of positive connection and support from compassionate and empathetic individuals are areas that I can address through my role both at RHS and in the community.

I feel my purpose is to serve those that have felt forgotten, looked over or given up on, and help them find strength and hope in their experiences, both negative and positive. I believe that through positive and meaningful connections people can recover and help others recover. Southeast Idaho is a wonderful place to live and call home, and I feel it is so important to continue to try to make it even better for every member of our community.

What is something someone might not know about you?

I have 7 amazing children.

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

Anything outdoors, coaching and watching my children play sports and being as physically active as possible.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Find the small wins in day to day work.

Employee Spotlight

Kayla Binggeli

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

I am the Executive Team assistant, assistant to the director at Youth Crisis Center, and Office Manager of the psychological testing department.

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

I was 23 and put my application into RHS with no mental health experience. I had an interview with Bruce Hampton and Tina Ricks. They found out I was a Bonneville cheerleader and asked me to do a cheer during my interview. I did the Bonneville Bee chant, and I got the job. I have never looked back and love my job.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

There has been many at RHS in very different ways who has inspired me, however the one person I have constantly worked with me since I started was DeVere Hunt. He learned my personality, and I learn from criticism. Through him mentoring me I made the decision to go back to school.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

Working with the community gives me meaning in my life. Seeing them smile or the relief when you helped them out or give them a resource is rewarding. I am excited for the Youth Crisis Center because they will have options to their treatment.

What is something someone might not know about you?

Ugh! Besides being under 5 feet. I am going to school and I am a super emotional person. My chorkie dog is my life. A weird fact is I can wiggle my ears.

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

My interests and hobbies are spending time with my family either that be camping, fishing and games. During the winter I spend my free time binge watching tv shows.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

The best advice I can give is do what you enjoy. Work is enjoyable when it is surrounded by family and humor.

Medical Difficulties and Mental Health

I recently went through some medical problems, including two surgeries that resulted in spending a couple of months off of work and at home.  Prior to this I had never experienced any significant health concerns.  I had never broken a bone, I had never had surgery, and other than a handful of days as a child due to pneumonia, I had never been in a hospital.  I was exercising, was eating healthy most of the time, and was mentally in a good space.  I felt prepared for what I was to encounter and assumed that it would be a quick and easy recovery.  What I didn’t anticipate was the significance of the pain I would encounter, nor the complications that would make recovery a bit more difficult than stated by my physicians.  And while I knew that it would change things for me a bit physically, I didn’t realize the affect that those changes would have on my mental health during the process of healing. 

A study published in 2017 in the American Psychiatric Association shows that ‘people living with chronic pain are at heightened risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Chronic pain can affect sleep, increase stress levels and contribute to depression. An estimated 35% to 45% of people with chronic pain experience depression.’  In addition to anxiety and depression some other effects of pain and frustrations and results of increased medical care are change in personality, agitation or episodes of anger, withdrawal and isolation from others, poor self-care, and feelings of hopelessness or being overwhelmed.

While physicians are versed in the medical side of things, there is a lack of understanding and education at times for the patient when it comes to mental health and medical comorbidities.  It’s important that the individual monitor for symptoms, talk to someone they trust, and seek help as needed if symptoms persist.  In my individual case I was able to work through feelings by allowing myself time to heal, improving eating habits, reaching out to others as needed, and when I was medically cleared, exercising and spending time outside of my home.  Other interventions might be beneficial if medical conditions are affecting mental health, including communication with your physician or primary care provider and seeking mental health treatment.  The correlation between mental and physical health is significant and at times treatment for both are required to allow us to move forward and heal in effective ways.   

Megann Wilkerson, LMSW

Employee Spotlight

Mariah Rapkoch

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

Clinic Support Staff Supervisor, CCMA

 

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

 

I was lucky enough to get placed at RHS for my externship of my medical assisting program and started working with Whitney Moore.

 

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

 

After getting my undergraduate degree, I decided I wanted a change and found a medical assisting program through Eagle Gate College. It was mostly luck of the draw that I got placed here. The biggest inspiration has been working with Whitney, who has really made me realize my love for learning about serious mental illnesses and has really been supportive of me continuing my education in the field.

 

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

 

Extremely. I have loved getting to know our community and have met so many wonderful people that it really makes work not feel like work. I genuinely love coming to work and getting to interact with my patients.

 

What is something someone might not know about you?

 

I have a Bachelor’s in Geology from Montana State University and a tattoo of a can of soup.

 

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

 

I love plants/gardening, reading, painting, drawing, and recently wood carving. I really love creating things and learning new skills

 

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Be kind and be patient.

 

Employee Spotlight

 Blake Bingham

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS? 

Owner/Director of Community Based Services

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

I was attending college and had a conversation with DeVere about degrees and he said, “Get a degree in psychology or sociology then come work for me.” Therefore, I received a degree in Sociology and the rest is history.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

See the above conversation.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

Being involved in the community has always been very important to me.  Early on, I had the opportunity to work with the Grid Kid football program. Since then I have had opportunities to stay involved with youth in various sports.  Being able to teach/coach kids and sharing my enjoyment of sports has been very rewarding. 

What is something someone might not know about you?

I speak French.

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

Taking long rides on my motorcycle.  For me it’s not the destination but the route to get there. 

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Try to realize that every person you interact with are doing the best they can that day.  Don’t take it personal. 

 

Employee Spotlight

Brett Hampton 

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

Clinical Supervisor/Co-Owner

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

I couldn’t pass Chemistry class

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

I have had a lot of individuals inspire me towards social work. However, my father Bruce Hampton and two college professors Steven Hay and Grover Wray help the most in this area.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho community?

I have a strong desire to help those in my community. I seek out opportunities to help in any way that I can.

What is something someone might not know about you?

I have 6 kids

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

I enjoy boating, golf and hiking.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Social Work is about helping people and not fixing people. You don’t have to have the answers to every issue you come across.

Employee Spotlight

 Heather Moore

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

VP Clinic Operations, RHS co-owner Credentials: BSN-RN

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

I’ve always been interested in mental health on some level. Before going to nursing school, I worked in business administration for over a decade. I found that motivation and assessing each individual’s personality and needs is key to success.  When I attended nursing school I really enjoyed my rotations at SHS and BHC. My nursing preceptor and mentor was a mental health nurse who taught me that mental stability intertwines with all body systems and can adversely or positively affect medical outcomes.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

Interesting story. April Crandall’s daughter, Heather and my daughter, Sami were good friends in middle school. When April picked up her daughter from a birthday party she encouraged me to apply. I did, reluctantly, as I had three other offers on the table at the time of graduation. DeVere Hunt offered me a job at the interview and assured me that it would be the most flexible and rewarding job I could take. So, I took his words into consideration and ultimately accepted the job. He was not wrong on either account.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

 I really enjoy all aspects of my job, including working with the community. I’m really proud of each service that is offered under the “Badger tree” and am happy to promote each one to community partners when I get a chance. It’s really amazing to hear the positive feedback RHS receives in relation to the amount of clients we are helping to live their best lives.

What is something someone might not know about you?

 Uhmmm…..I’m not sure there is anything. I’m an open book as most everyone knows. J 

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

Ahhh…I LOVE anything out doors and especially any activity I can do in the mountains with my family and friends. We love to hike, fish, cycle, dirt bike ride, camp, wake surf, kayak, paddleboard hunt, the list goes on…

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Focus on the individual and find the best part about them and expound on that. Love the clients we serve unconditionally. They matter! If you do this with humility, your efforts will not go unnoticed or rewarded.

Employee Spotlight

 DeVere Hunt

In 1998, RHS was established by Tony Bell LSW, Bruce Hampton LSW, and DeVere Hunt MS, CRC, CPRP. 25 years later Hunt continues serving our community through RHS as CEO.

“In high school, all of my friends needed counseling, so I went into the field and never looked back. I felt like I had a knack for helping people.”

This knack for helping people includes, but is not limited to, his assistances with crisis housing, managing the crisis centers, and putting on an annual mental health symposium and 5K fundraiser.

“I always felt like it was my obligation. My parents always taught me to give back to the community. That is where and why the symposium and 5K come in, as well as staffing the crisis centers both here in Idaho Falls and in Pocatello and the Center for Hope.”

This ability to multitask, such as run multiple companies and programs, shows in his varied interests.

“I recently became a certified scuba diver and went on my first scuba dive in Belize. I’ve done two cycling trips across Idaho, one in 2021 and the other in 2022, to help raise funds for Rifle Rated Armor for law enforcement, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Twin Falls Police Department.”

Our local community is lucky he went into the mental health field instead of following a different passion or taking a scholarship to attend Dixie State University as a running back!

Lastly, some words of advice for those coming into the mental health field.

“I would say make sure you have your own mental health in a good, stable place, so that you know how to take care of yourself before taking care of others.”

Ways to Help You Be More Assertive

Assertiveness skills can help you in all areas of you life. One way that it helps, it is a way to help build your self esteem/confidence. It allows you to stand up for yourself and get whatever point you’re needing to make across. The definition for assertive is “the quality of being confident and not frightened to say what you want or believe.” There is a difference between assertiveness, passive and aggressive. Passive’s definition is “accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance”. Aggressive’s definition is “ready or likely to attack or confront; characterized by or resulting from aggression.”

Ways to be assertive in a nonverbal manner are to stand up straight and to directly face people you are speaking to while maintaining their eye contact. Maintaining eye contact can be a difficult thing for a lot of us so looking at the bridge of their nose, forehead or ears is a way still appear to still be making eye contact. 

Role playing also helps us practice being more assertive so that when it comes to doing it in our daily lives, we are more ready to do it. Plan ahead boundaries that you’re comfortable with keeping, that will also help you be more assertive as well. As always, start small with your assertive skills! If you start with something too big, it becomes too overwhelming and we’re less likely to keep it up! 

Carmen Stites, LCPC and RPT

Got the Winter Blues?

It can be difficult during Idaho winter months, especially after the holidays to feel like you feel like yourself. Many people suffer from what is called “Seasonal affective disorder” or otherwise known as SAD. Cause of SAD is still unknown even though it has been researched by many for decades. 

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy and feeling sluggish
• Having problems with sleeping too much
• Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having thoughts of not wanting to live

The Mayo Clinic reports that you may suffer from SAD even in the Spring and Summer, not just the Fall and Winter months. 

Symptoms specific spring and summer may include:

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Agitation or anxiety
• Increased irritability

Ways to help treat SAD include using light therapy, medications, counseling, and watching what they eat. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that those who suffer from SAD can tend to crave sugary and/or carbohydrates. Balancing with fruits and vegetables helps our mental health when we’re struggling. 

Carmen Stites, LCPC and RPT

GIVE

In Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) there is a great Interpersonal Effectiveness skill called "GIVE."  This skill focuses on how to strengthen and maintain relationships.  It's often balanced with another DBT skill, called the "FAST" skill, with is used to strengthen and maintain self-respect.  Each letter of the GIVE skill represents more "specific" applications for strengthening and maintaining relationships:  

1.  G: Be Gentle.  Often in our relationships we can come across as harsh, uncaring, impatient, mean, cold, judgy, etc.  Being gentle has to do with the "delivery" of what we say/do.  Often what we say is good, but we don't say it in good ways.  And in 2022 we don't use the word "gentle" often....it might help to think of it as being nice, understanding, patient, soft, open, non-judgmental, etc.
   
   
2. I:  Act Interested.  In our relationships (romantic, parent/child, coworker, church, clubs, etc) we don't always have the same interests with other people.  However, acting interested is a big deal, because you're showing your interest in the other person.  (And sometimes this also leads to you developing new interests!)  One of the best ways to show interest is with eye contact, put your phone away, listen, AND remember what people say. 
   
   
3. V:  Validate.  Our world is hungry for validation.  Humans want to feel seen and heard, and to feel like our experiences are valid and matter.  Three of the best validation phrases are:  "That sucks."  "Tell me more."  "I can't imagine what that might be like."  Too often we are invalidating without realizing it, and this starts to tear down relationships.   There are 3 main ways we invalidate each other:   *When we tell someone they "shouldn't feel like that/think that way" (because they get to feel and think however they want to); *When we try to fix them (by jumping over validation and going right to problem solving or criticism); *When we "one up" or "one down" each other ("cool that you went on a vacation to Utah but I went to Australia" or "You're sick?  I'm way sicker and have been coughing and puking all day!")
   
   
4. E: Easy Manner.  This is means being more "chill" than "intense."  Relationships do better if it doesn't feel like a war-zone or like everything is dramatic or intense.  One of the best ways for this is to be mindful of your facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.  Also, it really helps to be able to laugh at yourself.  This breaks the tension that can be damaging to relationships.  

A good challenge if you are struggling with a relationship (of any kind) is to pick one of the letters (G-I-V-E) and practice being mindful of it for a week.  See what you're doing well, and where you can improve.  And then practice actions in the "need to improve" areas. 

Suzanne Powers