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