Adrian Whitsett

1 week ago | wcpo.com | Adrian Whitsett

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — “My hair is on fire!”That’s what Connie Pillich told me when we sat down to discuss her first three months in office. “It’s very, very busy, and it’s very, very important, and in many times, it's very, very tragic,” she said. She is the first elected female to hold the high-profile position, and the first Democrat to break the Republican stronghold in the office in nearly a century.

2 weeks ago | wcpo.com | Adrian Whitsett

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Nurses are trained to help save lives in emergency and operating rooms. Now, a group of students at Xavier University is learning how to better recognize the warning signs of suicide. Every sophomore nursing student at Xavier, including Kenna Ryan, will undergo QPR (Question, persuade, refer) training. "In 2017, my brother committed suicide. He was three days into being 16. I was 12 at the time," said Ryan. "It was just, you know, clearly the worst experience of my life.

1 month ago | wcpo.com | Adrian Whitsett

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — A mental health-focused approach inside a Middletown elementary school is changing how teachers approach students and families. Assistant principal Kate Lohmeyer said, “One of the biggest shifts I've seen with families is we no longer are calling on the family 10, 15 times in an effort to try to reach some sort of goal, recognizing the issues and valuing what the family may be experiencing.” That approach encourages collaboration, making families feel valued and heard.

1 month ago | wcpo.com | Adrian Whitsett

CINCINNATI — In its first major initiative since launching in 2024, Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) is rolling out its "Schools of Wellness" program to increase youth wellness through education and engagement in mentally healthy activities throughout the school environment. The organization is seeking 8 to 10 middle or high schools in Ohio and Kentucky to participate in the pilot program. Schools can be urban, suburban, or rural and may be public or private.

1 month ago | wcpo.com | Adrian Whitsett

CINCINNATI — Stories weave the fabric of our understanding and connection to the world around us. The more we see ourselves in the narratives of others, the deeper our connections become. Brian Westbrook Sr. saw that opportunity with his new book, Brianna, Malik and the Mindful Champions. "There's an opportunity to bring something to the table that's worth our while, to give kids that feel like, man, look at this book.