The Flint Hills Wellness Coalition is hosting a town hall meeting on Thursday, January 16 from 6:30-8 pm in the auditorium of the Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz Avenue, to discuss the current status of the local mental health system. Invited panel members include (subject to change):
- David Adams, Director, Riley County Emergency Medical Services
- Dr. Jeremy Bennett, Emergency Medicine, Ascension Via Christi Hospital
- Andrew Brookens, Director, Stormont Vail Health
- Mark French, Captain, Riley County Jail
- Nicole Gonzales, Behavioral Health Svcs Director, Konza Prairie Community Health Center
- Carrie Hewins, Mental Health Liaison, USD 383
- Scott Voos, Executive Director, Be Able
- Sarah Wesch, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
- Becky Woodward, Chief Clinical Officer, Pawnee Mental Health Services
Each panel member will offer opening remarks about their views of the status of the local mental health system. Following that, audience members will be invited to submit questions on cards to a moderator who will pose the questions to the members of the panel. This town hall is a follow-up to the white paper released in August 2025 developed by the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition in response to the local mental health system assessment conducted in October 2023.
The Director of the Flint Hills Wellness Coaliion said that on Thursday, January 16 there will be a dialogue about the strengths and weaknesses of the local mental health system and to offer suggestions about ways it can be improved.