Mental Health

Author Reid Forgrave joins Charity Nebbe to talk about his book "Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy." It tells the tragic story of Indianola's Zac Easter and the negative impact of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Easter's mother, Brenda, and Ali Epperson, Easter's girlfriend, also join the conversation.

This week, Iowa health officials confirmed 638 Iowans are hospitalized, the highest amount this year, and the leader of the state's largest hospital said it's taking a toll on its workforce.

Health care workers from around Iowa talked about fatigue, burnout, and more on Talk of Iowa.

Experts say taking care of your own wellbeing first will allow you to help your kids and students. You should also listen to their concerns and teach them tools to manage their anxieties.

Ben Kieffer starts off the show with IPR's Grant Gerlock to give the latest news from a federal judge who decided to put the state's mask mandate ban on hold. Later, Dr. Eric Dyken discusses the latest news and research on sleep disorders.

A year ago this month, a freak storm comparable to a Category 4 hurricane carved a path of destruction across Iowa, damaging scores of homes. One year later, some residents are still discovering storm damage from the Aug. 10 derecho, are fighting for insurance payments and struggling to rebuild.

Drug overdoses have soared during the pandemic to become the worst overdose crisis in U.S. history. Host Ben Kieffer hears personal stories of addiction and talks with representatives of organizations trying to prevent overdoses.

Iowa schools received $30 million in CARES Act money, which helped some districts provide mental health services for kids.

Iowa's nurses have been vital to caring for the sickest COVID-19 patients. But nearly a year and a half into the pandemic, many are facing burnout.

At least 6,000 Iowans have died of COVID-19. For those who made it through the pandemic, delayed cancer screenings and medical visits might take their toll.