WSV columnist and limited licensed psychologist Charles Thomas writes, “While there weren’t many silver linings to the pandemic, one good thing that did happen as a result of it was that our culture developed a fresh appreciation of the importance of mental health care. But a large block of Americans has been left behind. This is in spite of the fact that they make up nearly 80% of all suicides, have fewer friendships and social connections than other groups, and are also more likely to binge drink and have substance use disorders than other groups.”

In this edition of “Bites with Beca,” Watershed’s resident food critic writes, “In searching for the ideal restaurant to celebrate my father’s birthday this year I was on the hunt for ‘a place of perfect happiness’ and just so happened to find that exact definition in Kalamazoo’s Elysium (505 E. North St.).”