This riveting conversation with Kali White VanBaale reveals why the murder of her neighbors has led her on a quest to fix Iowa’s broken mental health system.
Iowa’s ranking in the number of available beds to treat the severely mentally ill is one of the lowest in the country. Why?
Had it been adequate, her neighbors - a father, mother and sister of the murderer, would be alive today. He asked for help, the family had asked for help, and they were turned away due to lack of treatment availability.
She has come to know the young man, the medications he had been placed on without follow-up, and the mitigating tragic circumstances that were beyond his control, and for which he will bear the responsibility for the rest of his life.
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Julie’s guest on Monday is book publisher Steve Semken. How does he pick authors? How has the publishing business changed? If you are a subscriber, you’ll receive a link to join the Zoom call at noon.
Kali is an author, writing coach, and featured memoir coach for the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat. If you are interested in more information, a column I wrote this week features infographics of date from participants of the one held recently that might help you determine if attending is right for you:
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Kali White VanBaale podcast