Wayne State University’s College of Nursing trained about 600 people in Mental Health First Aid through a $1.5 million grant in the past three years.

Dr. Cynthera McNeill is an associate professor and director of the adult gerontology nurse practitioner program at WSU’s primary care program. She says the program initially started by adding mental health care providers in two Detroit primary care clinics to help connect people to resources and break the stigma of getting mental health care.

“A lot of mental health facilities had since closed due to funding or for whatever reason, and that mental health access was not readily accessible,” she said, with the grant rolling out during the pandemic. 

People were also trained in Mental Health First Aid, or as McNeill described it, “the ability to equip community-based organizations with the actual tools to be able to identify mental health concerns early in certain populations, and then be a bridge to that person getting mental help or mental assistance.”

McNeill says the training is like CPR, allowing people to identify symptoms, intervene, and connect them with resources, such as therapists.

“We initially trained 26 community leaders in Mental Health First Aid as a trainer. So that’s a separate training,” she said. “We trained the trainers first, and then the trainers then went into their communities, and collectively, to date, we trained over 600 individuals.”

The College of Nursing received an additional $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health this year to work with Middle Eastern North African (MENA) and African American communities to address colorectal cancer screening and opioid overdose prevention.

“For the opioid piece, we have incorporated and continue with the Mental Health First Aid, because the Mental Health First Aid does cover substance use,” she said.

She says the training creates sustainable solutions for communities in need.

“I am a strong believer that we need to really start to embrace equipping our communities with the skills that they need in order to implement and sustain interventions, and leveraging the community-based organizations — the entities that are the experts in their population of interest,” McNeill said.

She says the program allows communities to sustain themselves by training others and working with trusted resources within the community. 

“They can continue to offer this to their people and to be able to make an impact in their communities,” McNeill said.

This week on the Detroit Evening Report, we’re reflecting on some of the stories we’ve reported on at WDET this year that show how special the people and places in our community truly are.

We also share some news about what’s happening in the community over the holidays. 

Today, we hear a bit of an interview featured on WDET’s The Metro with Antonio Cosme, co-founder of the nonprofit Black to the Land; and Andrea Di Cresce, program coordinator of Our Global Youth.

They spoke to co-host Tia Graham about the work their organizations do to increase access to the outdoors for Black and brown people in Detroit. 

Other headlines for Monday, Dec. 30, 2024:

Young revelers and their families can ring in the new year without missing their bedtimes at “Noon Years Eve” celebrations Tuesday:

• United Skates of America in Lincoln Park is starting its festivities at 10 a.m. with a ball drop at noon. Attendees can partake in dancing, characters, noise makers and more. Admission is $16 and includes skate rental, pizza and a drink. Tickets are available through Eventbrite. 
• Visitors to the Henry Ford Museum can also party early on Tuesday. Their Noon Years Eve Party starts at 10 a.m. and ends at noon. There will be a story time, crafts, activities and a bubble wrap stomp. Party admission also includes access to the museum. The cost is $34 for non-members 12 and older; $25.50 for children younger between 5 and 11; children 4 and under and museum members are free. For more information visit thehenryford.org/rediscover. 
• The Clarkston Independent District Library will celebrate Noon Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The free event offers activities aimed at ages ranging from young children to upper elementary-aged kids. 
• Paradise Park in Novi will host a New Year’s Family Bash from 12:30 until 2:30pm. Paradise Park is at 45799 Grand River Avenue. Tickets start at $21.95. For more information, visit paradiseparknovi.com.  

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Ali Mohammad Rizwan, author of the book, “MetalGhost: Kashif and the Echoes from a Past Life,” explores the life of Muslim superheroes.

Rizwan, who grew up in New Jersey, has watched and read superhero stories since childhood. But he felt that he couldn’t see himself in those stories.

“I’ve always loved writing, and I’ve always had this idea in my mind where I felt as a Muslim American, I really don’t feel we’re represented properly or enough so, and I wanted to do something about that,” he told WDET.

Rizwan says he began writing his first story over the past eight years.

“Before I knew it, I had a full-fledged novel in my hand,” he said.

As a child, as someone who loved watching and reading about superheroes, he would look for books at the library that had Muslim superheroes. But he says there were none.

“I grew up watching, like all of us, watching this Marvel movies… and read these comics. And again and again, they kept releasing awesome movies and comics and books, but I realized none of the characters, main characters, looked like me or you,” Rizwan said. “I think subliminally, that sends a message, whether they mean to or not.”

Rizwan says he wanted to do something about that. 

“That was my motivation, that I want to tell a story that’s purely authentic Muslim experience but it’s also American at the same time, so people can see this is what a Muslim American goes through,” he said.

The book — inspired by different superheroes — explores themes of love, relationships, family and friends, and loss, Rizwan says.

“I’ve always felt very connected to Superman, because, you know how he says, ‘I’m not really from here.’ That’s his line. And growing up as, like a Muslim American, I always felt we always kind of feel a bit on the outside sometimes because of how, especially after 9/11 and how we’re portrayed in the media and misrepresented, we are kind of sometimes treated as the other,” he said.

But Rizwan says he’s also connected to how Superman and others sacrifice themselves for the greater good, help their neighbors, and support their families.

He incorporates Islamic history and hadith, sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, in the story — which he incorporates into Kashif’s thinking and motivation to save others.

“So we’re taught, there’s 1,000 years of Dark Ages, and then Europe kind of has this enlightenment. Well, in those 1,000 years, the Islamic world was prospering so much,” he said.

“MetalGhost” won the distinguished favorite in the Islamic category by the NYC Big Book Award. Rizwan says he did not expect to get this kind of reception.

“When you’re writing, I didn’t think… I could win awards, would be recognized in any way. So this, it was huge,” he said.

He hopes to write a trilogy in the series and has been approached for a Marvel edition to the book.

“They’re wondering if there is room for making this into a motion production picture or something. I’m definitely interested in that. I honestly, I would love for Muslims to produce this,” he said.

In the meantime,  he says, he’s writing his next book, which will feature comics.

The city of Dearborn has chosen 51 homes as honorees of the Dearborn Beautiful Commission’s winter outdoor decorating recognition program, Winter Aglow.

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The commission presents residential outdoor decorating awards in the spring, fall and winter, as well as “Standard of Excellence” awards in the summer for both residences and businesses.

Each Dearborn Aglow winner will receive a window decal, and will also be invited to have dinner with Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud next month.

Over 150 other homes received an honorable mention this season. For a full list of winners, visit dearborn.gov.

Other headlines for Monday, Dec. 23, 2024:

• The Detroit Fire Department is launching a monthly webinar series on fire prevention and safety, covering topics such as lithium batteries, heating safety, preventing house fires in the winter, and grilling safety for the summer. The first seminar will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6. Visit detroitmi.gov for more information.
• The U.S. Census released a new report saying that the country’s population is growing at its fastest pace in over two decades. That’s a 1% growth since 2023. The Census report states that the numbers have now “recovered from pandemic-era lows.”
• A group of students and alumni at the University of Michigan have filed a lawsuit for actions they say violate the Constitutional rights of pro-Palestinian student protestors.  The University Board of Regents, President Santa Ono, and Vice President of Student Life Martino Harmon were all named in the suit, filed by the Students Allied for Freedom and Equality at the University of Michigan.
• Motor City Match launched Detroit’s first rage room, “The Damage Zone.” The city of Detroit and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation announced and celebrated the opening last week at 15785 James Couzens Freeway. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, or ACCESS, has recently launched a new caregiver respite care program called EXHALE. It’s funded through a $300,000 grant for three years.

Amne Darwish-Talab is the director of Social Services at ACCESS, and she oversees EXHALE. She says the new program supports caregivers through bi-monthly gatherings, connecting to resources and recreational outings.

“We want to do all this with the aim of the program by having caregivers of all backgrounds join fellow caregivers twice a month for connection and support from health providers and other experts,” she shares.

Talab says the program aims to break stigma and stereotypes around caregiving in a culturally sensitive environment. She says in the Arab American culture, caregiving is a family obligation. 

“There’s a stigma around having a non-family member taking care of the elderly in the family, or this also extends to the notion of even placing an elderly in a facility such as a nursing home or rehab or any type of living where they’re going to be living away from the family,” she says. 

Talab says many times family members get burned out and need extra support, but people are hesitant to ask for help for fear of judgement. The EXHALE program aims to overcome stigma by connecting people to culturally appropriate supplemental resources and assistance as needed.

“Society is changing, and the duties of the children or grandchildren or daughters-in-law, or whoever it may be, or siblings, has changed, because the lifestyles have changed, and now most of the family members are working. And sometimes they’re forced to reach out for assistance for their caregiving,” she explains. 

Through the EXHALE program, caregivers receive an annual stipend.

The grant was awarded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. ACCESS partnered with the Senior Alliance for this support group.

For more information, visit bit.ly/ExhaleProgram.

Several Syrian Americans gathered in Dearborn on Sunday to celebrate the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

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Syria has been in a civil war for over 13 years, with over half a million people killed and thousands displaced. The Associated Press reports that the fall came after a 10-day offensive by rebel groups who took over cities like Damascus.

Many of the more than 1,000 Syrian Americans who gathered in Dearborn on Sunday said they have been afraid to travel back to Syria for years, CBS News reports.

President Joe Biden called Assad’s fall a “fundamental act of justice,” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” adding that rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions.

Russia media say Assad has fled to Moscow with his family and received asylum from his longtime ally.

The leader of Syria’s biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is now poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N.

In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad’s fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.”

Associated Press writers AbdulRahman Shaheen, Sarah El Deeb and Abby Sewell contributed to this report.

Other headlines for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024:

• State Sen. Stephanie Chang is hosting a workshop from 12:30-3 p.m. this Saturday offering free legal assistance for people applying for U.S. citizenship.
• Detroit residents are invited to learn about the development progress of the 22-acre Rogell Park site at a community meeting set for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Detroit Service Learning Academy. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/rogell.
• D’Artillery in Hamtramck is hosting its annual Global Holiday Market from 2-6 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 15, featuring handmade gifts from local women artisans.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The National Poll on Healthy Aging has released new findings about the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren and the link between mental health and loneliness.

Kate Bauer is an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She spoke with WDET about the survey’s results and the changing roles grandparents are playing in their grandchildren’s lives.

Listen: Survey finds grandparents are most common child care providers in US

“Grandparents today [are] younger than ever before. They’re healthier than ever before, and they’re really involved in their grandchildren’s lives in lots of different ways,” Bauer said.

The survey looks at the different ways grandparents and grandkids connect. Bauer says grandparents are providing more care for their grandkids than any other form of child care, largely in part due to child care services closures during COVID.

“One of the first findings is that we identified that individuals with grandchildren and those who saw their grandchildren more often were less likely to say that they felt isolated and they reported stronger mental health,” she said.

Bauer says child care is expensive in Michigan and across the U.S. and grandparents are filling a critical need as child care providers — sometimes as their primary caregivers, especially in Southeastern Michigan and Detroit.

“Twenty percent of all grandparents with grandchildren under 18 are providing regular child care for their grandchildren, and 8% are providing daily or near-daily child care,” she said.

Bauer says it’s important to support grandparents and the changing nature of the roles they play in their grandkids’s lives — noting that it’s also important to not overly burden older adults.

“[We] want to make sure that we are supporting those grandparents right, and that it’s not an undue burden on them, that they’re taking care of their own needs, and maybe, you know, especially with grandparents who may have a spouse, they’re also watching after,” she said.

Studies found that 6% of Black and Hispanic grandparents live with their grandchildren.

Bauer says positive impacts of grandparents taking care of grandchildren include positive mental health and cognitive health. However, grandparents who watch their grandkids for 40 hours or more a week need more support and may be overburdened.

“There is one study from a few years ago that once those burdens of grandparent caregiving become too excessive, that grandparents’ risk of cardiovascular disease increases,” she said.

Finding a middle ground is ideal.

“I think there are policies and supports in the community that we can provide families to make sure that grandparents are providing the level of care that works for them, and it’s not an excessive burden,” she said.

The Wayne State College of Nursing has trained about 600 individuals in Mental Health First Aid protocols through a $1.5 million grant.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The trainees took classes from 2022-2024. College of Nursing Professor Dr. Cynthera McNeill says the courses were part of a larger effort to break the stigma around mental health, including in communities where there’s a shortage of mental health professionals.

“Rather than just show up and collect research data, we were given the opportunity to provide education and skills that enable community members to take action and serve as a bridge between those dealing with mental health troubles and the services they need,” McNeill said.

The trainees work with community-based organizations to educate others. In August, the college won another $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health to focus on reducing barriers to colorectal cancer screening and opioid drug overdose prevention — which McNeil says will also include mental health first aid courses.  

The trainings are being held in collaboration with African American and Middle Eastern North African (MENA) community organizations to provide culturally competent care. 

Other headlines for Monday, Dec. 2, 2024:

• A bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would require commercial health insurance plans to cover long-term treatment for brain injuries from diseases, strokes, and falls.
• Several community health centers in Detroit will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this week to assist with Medicare enrollment before the enrollment period ends Dec. 7.
• The city of Detroit’s District 4 will host a charter-mandated community meeting on from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to share updates and resources from city departments. The meeting will take place both on Zoom and in person at the Detroit Burns Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 10125 E Warren Ave., Detroit.
• It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging people to get the flu vaccine before the holiday season.
• It’s also Older Driver Safety Awareness week. The Michigan Department of State provides resources to keep drivers educated and safe, regardless of their age.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Overdose deaths in Michigan decreased last year by nearly 6%, with 2,826 deaths recorded compared to 2,998 deaths in 2022, according to state data.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports that overdose deaths have fallen five times faster than the national average since 2021.

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Dearborn Health Department Director Ali Abazeed says the prevalence of overdose-reversing medication like naloxone has played a big role in those reductions. The Health Department alone dispensed 8,000 units of Narcan in the past two years through a vending machine at the Dearborn train station.

“We made it so that people know where it’s at, how to get it,” he said. “…and then paired it with instructional videos — both in Arabic and in English — to show what you should do if you come across someone who’s experiencing an overdose.”

Abazeed says one goal is to reduce the stigma and shame associated with drug overdoses. 

Steve Norris, director of Overdose Prevention and Recovery Support at the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, spoke with The Metro Producer Sam Corey this week about how similar intervention programs are helping reduce opioid deaths throughout metro Detroit.

“(I)f you look at the highest rate of incidents, our two major areas of concern are Pontiac and Waterford Township,” said Norris. “So those are where we’re really seeing significant numbers and reduction, and that’s where we’ve put a lot of our emphasis.”

Public health measures like Michigan’s Naloxone Direct Portal, which distributes the life-saving drug to community groups for free in high-risk areas, have also played a part in reducing opioid-related deaths. Other harm-reduction measures include increasing access to fentanyl and xylazine testing strips, allowing drug users to test for these dangerous substances and reduce their risk of accidental overdose.

Still, while the latest trends in overdose deaths are promising, the racial gaps continue. Based on 2023 provisional data from MDHHS, Black residents are 2.8 times more likely to die of an overdose than white residents, with American Indian/Alaska Native residents 2.2 times more likely.

MDHHS says the agency is taking a “data-driven approach” to ensure substance use disorder funding reaches communities with the highest need.

WDET’s John Filbrandt contributed to this report.

Other headlines for Monday, Nov. 25, 2024:

• The National Poll on Healthy Aging released a new study on how grandparents are impacted by their grandkids, and found they can improve mental health and reduce loneliness.
• The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has unveiled a new air monitoring dashboard called MiAir, providing Michigan residents with real-time air quality data and historical trends.
• The Detroit City Council heard public comments Monday on a measure to prevent the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover a new “bootcamp” for women entrepreneurs in Dearborn; the death of Michigan State University’s first Black president; local halal food drives for Thanksgiving and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dearborn launches ‘Business Bootcamp’ for women 

Applications are now open for a new eight-week boot camp for female
entrepreneurs in Dearborn. The City of Dearborn’s Dearborn WORKS
and the Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC) created the program, which offers professional development, financial literacy courses, and networking opportunities. Participants will also receive $3,500 in seed funding upon completion. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Labor. People can register and find out more at Dearborn.gov/BusinessResources by Dec. 1.

MSU’s first Black president dies

Former Michigan State University President Clifton Wharton Jr. has died. Wharton Jr., the university’s first Black president, led MSU for most of the 1970s. As president, he oversaw the creation of the MSU Foundation and established an anti-discrimination judicial board. He was also the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company, leading the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund from 1986 to 1993. Wharton was 98.

Dearborn adding full-time therapist to police department

The Dearborn Police Department and the Arab Community Center for
Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) are teaming up to add a
full-time therapist to the police department for mental health calls.
The therapist will provide psychological evaluations during crisis
interventions and connect people with resources. More information about the position can be found on ACCESS’ website.

Detroit awarded $1.3M to expand lead hazard control

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7
million in community grants to communities around the state for lead control services for Medicaid recipients. The city of Detroit received nearly $1.3 million as part of the funding, which will go toward lead inspections, risk assessment, and permanent removal of lead from eligible homes. The money can also be used to remove soil lead hazards, abatement work and pre-2014 faucets and fixtures that contribute to lead hazard 

DDOT hiring drivers and mechanics

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hiring drivers and
mechanics. Pay begins at $15/hour with transportation equipment operators making over $18/hour after 12 months on the job. General auto mechanics will make $24.92 an hour. To apply, visit detroitmi.gov/ddot.  

Islamic Center hosting turkey drive

The Islamic Center of Detroit is hosting a Food & Turkey
Distribution event offering halal turkeys from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. ID is required, and it will be based on a first come first serve policy. ICD is located at 14350 Tireman St., Detroit.

Detroit Friendship House offering Thanksgiving meal kit

The Detroit Friendship House in Hamtramck is also offering halal turkeys in its Thanksgiving Meal Kit food drive from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 26, until supplies last. The in-person event takes place at 9450 Conant St., Hamtramck.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.