FHSU Sociology Program
On the third Thursday of each month, Healing Hearts Grief Support Group in Hays welcomes community members to gather, share their experiences, and learn from guest speakers who offer insights into grief, loss, and healing.
The group is facilitated by Associate Professor Kate McGonigal with the Fort Hays State University (FHSU) sociology program.
This month, the group welcomed Seth Kastle, an FHSU Leadership faculty member, author, and veteran, to speak about his time in the military and the challenges veterans and their families face after service.
Kastle, whose work includes the children’s book “Why is Dad So Mad?” and, with his wife, Julia, “Why is Mom So Mad?” spoke candidly about his experiences in the military and the physical and emotional aftermath of post-military life. He shared the moment he realized he was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as the ways the condition affected his relationships with family members and friends.
Through writing the book, Kastle came to understand the importance of human connection in overcoming the pain he was experiencing. Though the first step in seeking counseling took courage, he emphasized the importance of breaking out of isolation and being willing to accept help from others.
Having a family inspired him to tell a story that was close to his heart. “Why is Dad So Mad?” is a children’s book that shares the perspective of a parent living with PTSD. Beginning with a Kickstarter campaign, the book has received support and praise from readers, especially veterans, across the country. One of the milestones in writing the book was its NBC Nightly News feature, which highlighted its impact.
Throughout his time in and after the military, Dr. Kastle experienced a number of devastating losses and spoke about the importance of recognizing when someone may be struggling so that friends and family can offer support. He also emphasized the importance of leaning on fellow service members, describing the armed forces as one of the closest networks of support.
The group often brings in guest speakers who share their stories about a variety of eye-opening topics related to grief and the human experience.
McGonigal encourages people from all walks of life to attend, seek support, and find comfort in one another.
The group meets on the third Thursday of each month in the Bob & Pat Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Dr., Hays. Upcoming meetings for the Healing Hearts Grief Support Group can be found on its Facebook page.