Next week, Alaska Public Media will be coming to Talkeetna for a community discussion and recording session focused on mental health and isolation. KTNA’s Phillip Manning spoke with Anne Hillman about the event and what locals can expect.
You can find registration information at eventbrite.
Transcript:
Anne Hillman
This time we’re taking Talk of Alaska on the road and hosting it as a live in person event with community members. And we decided to focus on Talkeetna for this particular event, because what we really want to talk about is social isolation and loneliness and mental health. And that’s one of those issues that really it affects everybody on the entire planet. And the pandemic has really, really pointed that out. And in places like Talkeetna and rural Alaska, you’ve got this really unique combination of both tight social connections, but also geographic isolation and distance from resources.
Phillip Manning
So when is this going to this in person, Talk of Alaska going to be happening?
Anne Hillman
So we’re hosting it on Wednesday, March 16. And we’re doing it as both a recorded conversation and a social event, we’re talking about isolation was trying to eliminate a little bit. So we’re opening it up, opening up the doors at 5:30pm. We have dinner boxes for everybody who attends we’re offering free childcare as well. So don’t let that be a barrier. And then we’ll start recording the program at 630. It lasts about an hour. So it’s a chance to come together with your neighbors share stories, ask questions of folks who have been thinking a lot about how isolation is affecting people.
Phillip Manning
It’s a very fluid situation. As far as the pandemic goes, as of right now, things seem to be on a better trend than they have been. But I know that that’s something that y’all are still cognizant of as well.
Anne Hillman
Oh, very much. So we’re definitely keeping it limited to 40 people, but in the community hanger, which is this basement for a couple 100. Because we want to make sure that people can space out and be distant. We are asking folks to wear masks. Please be aware. Like if you come into contact with someone who is positive, please don’t attend even if you’ve RSVP. So it’s yeah, the pandemic has created this like weird balancing act like you want people to be able to be together. But you also want people to be safe. So we’re keeping the panel smart, because yes, it’s a panel type show. But we really want to focus on conversation. And we really want to focus on community stories. So on our panel is Sarah Blanding, who’s over at the clinic, and knows amazing things about loneliness that I never even thought of, as well as Luann Tisdale, who’s over at the upper Susitna Food Pantry, because that organization has been doing a lot to help people stay connected, and they are doing in creative ways. And, you know, providing so much more than food. So we have a two person panel with the idea that that will create a lot of space for people in the audience to contribute as well, not just to ask questions, but to also share their own stories,
Phillip Manning
you know, if there are people who either due to a scheduling conflict or not feeling comfortable gathering in a public place, making giving them an option to submit their own, you know, either questions or stories or whatever that might look like. And there’s a couple of what I think the best way to do that would be to for those folks to send those to the news department. So news@ktla.org. And if, you know, most of us have a smartphone these days, so even just a voice memo, something like that would be great. We’ll have the ability to play that. In during the event, or something written, you mentioned there are food boxes and that sort of thing. And I talked a little bit about the concept of tell Keaton a time and people’s tendency in this area to you know, uh, you know, let’s not say procrastinate…
Anne Hillman
There’s nothing wrong with procrastination. But we do need to place an order for food. We’re getting boxes from the Flying Squirrel bakery. So that is why we’d like to know who’s coming by the 13th. I’m really looking forward to meeting with folks, if people have questions. They can obviously send them to news@ktla.org. You can also send them to anne@outnorth.org. And I really, really look forward to being in community with all of you.
Phillip Manning
All right, well, thank you and and we’ll see you next week.
