Inspired Woman

Episode 6 of It Matters will be released on YouTube on Monday, December 30. Marci Narum sits down with Eneida Vilella, the director of Mental Health Services for the Dakota Children's Advocacy Center in Bismarck to learn how the agency is helping children and families impacted by abuse.

"Kids who are abused are more likely to have depression, anxiety, and obviously PTSD; they are more likely to have self-esteem issues, and unfortunately, they are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and completed su***des." -- Paula Condol, executive director of the Dakota Children's Advocacy Center.

In this episode of "It Matters," Paula Condol shares the mission of the Dakota Children's Advocacy Center. She explains the trends she has seen in child abuse in North Dakota and how the center is helping families navigate. The Dakota Children's Advocacy Center saw 1100 people in 2023, and Paula says she's seen a huge increase in child abuse, especially since COVID arrived in 2020. Watch to learn more ...

Thank you to Masters Gallery for sponsoring this episode, and to BWeis Media for the video production!

Episode 4 of It Matters was released in October. In case you missed it .... the segment features Jenny Maattala, the founder and director of Soul 57, a grief support organization for youth.

"The symptoms of grief that are unaddressed can lead to so many other unhelathy symptoms," Jenny explains. "You see depression, anxiety, loneliness, loss of interest. But there are so many other long-term effects of unaddressed grief, so we're trying to get ahead of that and have it almost be a preventative measure and letting them know it's OK to feel sad, and it's okay to ask for help."

Episode 3 of "It Matters" features Brenda Bergan, a grief support facilitator at Eastgate Funeral Home in Bismarck. Brenda shares her personal story and talks about the programs available to support those who are left behind after a loved one dies by su***de.

"A lot of times people will say, 'How many children do you have?' I'll always have three children. But Brandon's death shocked us. We hd no idea he was struggling. Hew was 16 and was struggling with life in general ... I remember thinking, 'This can't possibly be' ... and I heard those horrible words, 'Your son died by su***de.'"