Henning, Inc. executive director Shawn Hays talks with Rob Seay on Aug. 19, 2022 at the Aviator Hotel. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Mental health struggles are one of the largest contributors for Alaskans experiencing homelessness, and our city and state are not properly equipped to address this crisis. In HMIS, the Homeless Management Information System, our data shows that of the nearly 3,600 homeless Alaskans in Anchorage, just under 25% self-reported homeless residents have a mental health disorder. If we want to end homelessness, we need to first invest in our state’s mental health resources.
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We know that trauma is one the main components leading someone to struggle with their mental health. When someone arrives at one of our shelter operations, they are immediately screened to better understand their situation and to create an adequate plan for recovery. Of the 2,628 Alaskans who Henning Inc. served between Oct. 1, 2023, and May 21 of this year, 24.9% (or 655 Alaskans) self-reported to have experienced stalking, human trafficking, sexual, dating and domestic violence. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), in 2020, Alaska was second highest in the nation for child abuse, at 77.4% more likely to be abused in comparison to the national average. This high prevalence and experience of trauma is a significant factor contributing to our homeless Alaskans.
Part of the work that Henning does is provide behavioral health services, addiction services and referrals for psychiatric care for clients with significant mental health struggles. Our licensed psychologist meets with clients in individual or group therapy sessions to teach healthy coping strategies to manage and improve symptoms. Due to our team’s extensive personal lived experiences with addiction, mental health and homelessness, we understand what many homeless Alaskans are living with and deeply encourage all staff to partake in the emotional wellness training provided.
Additionally, substance use disorders are prevalent among the homeless population in Alaska. While 25% of our clients reported to have a mental health disorder, 7.8% (205 people) self-reported having alcohol use disorder, 7.1% (186 people) reported having a drug use disorder, while 9.9% (261 people) reported having both a drug and alcohol use disorder during the same time frame. This intersection of mental health and substance use disorders exacerbates the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.
There are only 30 residential substances use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities in Alaska, with almost half, 13, in the Anchorage area, each with limited availability and duration of treatment. Not only are there limited treatment facilities, other barriers for those seeking treatment include not only the cost for the program, but if their insurance will help cover fees associated. Additionally, treatment and recovery take time, which only further complicates affordability and accessibility when considering employment and housing status. Our rural geography paired with intense weather systems adds to the challenge of having access to adequate healthcare, resulting in many Alaskans traveling to Anchorage, and potentially, out of state for medical care, if while working with their insurance, they can afford to.
In addition, Alaska faces unique challenges due to its vast and sparsely populated landscape. Many rural areas lack basic mental health and health care services, pushing Alaskans to travel long distances, often in severe weather conditions, to seek health care and other resources. The state’s high rates of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) due to prolonged periods of darkness in winter also contribute to the mental health crisis. In addition, Indigenous populations, which account for 54.3% of Anchorage’s homeless, face cultural and systemic barriers to accessing mental health care, with a higher prevalence of trauma, suicide and substance abuse disorders.
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To address homelessness means investing in mental health resources including, but not limited to, educational programs, outreach programs, domestic violence education and prevention, and substance abuse education and prevention. Investing in schools and our universities to develop our workforce while also providing incentives to rebuild our health care systems and its workforce, with an emphasis on accessibility and sustainability, will start to address the root causes of homelessness. Shelter saves lives, but there are many resources that need to be made equitably available to truly address homelessness.
Addressing these multifaceted, intersectional and complex issues requires a comprehensive approach. Increasing funding for mental health professionals and facilities, particularly in underserved regions, is crucial. Culturally sensitive care for Indigenous communities, integrated mental health and substance use treatment programs, transitional and supportive housing programs are also essential components. By prioritizing mental health resources and addressing the unique needs of Alaskans, we can make significant strides in reducing homelessness and improving the overall well-being of our communities and state.
Shawn Hays is executive director and Rob Seay is deputy executive director of Henning Inc., a nonprofit providing homelessness services in Southcentral Alaska.
The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.
The Anchorage Daily News caught up with some of the top track and field athletes from around the state at the annual Big C Relays. The list includes a sprinter who likes to play disc golf, a pair of Spider-Man fans, a reigning state champ who can’t get enough Macklemore, and three elite athletes whose biggest influences have been their older brothers. There were also several notable performances by perennial contenders and up-and-coming talent alike.
Here’s an introduction to six track and field athletes and the top performers from the Big C Relays.
Soldotna sprinter Tyce Escott answers questions at the Big C Relays track meet at The Dome in Anchorage on March 26, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Tyce Escott, Soldotna
The Soldotna senior sprinter was the Division I boys state runner-up in the 100 meters in 2025 by 0.01 seconds, and is the reigning state champ in the 200 meters. At the Big C Relays, he competed in the 100 and finished second in the prelims with mark of 11.34 seconds, then finished fourth in the semifinals in a time of 11.37 seconds. Escott helped the Stars Mixed Swedish Medley Relay team come in first place with a time of 2:09.55.
How did you get started in track and field? “I kind of just grew up running and decided to try it as a sport when I got to middle school, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
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What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “I don’t usually listen to music. I’m just in my own head and do what I want to do.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “Spider-Man Homecoming.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “Spider-Man.”
Spider-Man follow-up: Favorite Spider-Man live action actor? “I like the Tom Holland ones the best, but I like Andrew Garfield too.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “I look up to my older brother. He didn’t do track but he always did sports and he was known for being fast. He did football and soccer.”
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Goals for this season: “I’m hoping to come back and try to get first (at state in the 100 meters), try to improve as much as I can and do the best to my ability. My goals are to hopefully win state, beat my (personal records) and just do as best as I can.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I play disc golf sometimes. There’s probably three or four (courses) down in Soldotna.”
Anna Green of South Anchorage High School leans into the finish of a 100-meter sprint heat at the Big C Relays track meet at The Dome in Anchorage on March 26, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Anna Green, South
The South Anchorage senior sprinter is the reigning Division I girls state champion in the 200 meters, and she also finished third in the 100 and fourth in the 400 last year at state. At the Big C Relays, she competed in the 100 meters and clocked the top times in the prelims (12.81 seconds) and the semifinals (12.86 seconds). In the finals, she came in third place with a time of 12.83 seconds and also helped the Wolverines finish third in the girls Swedish Medley Relay 1600-meter race with a mark of 4:37.22.
How did you get started in track and field? “My middle school health teacher. I was originally a hurdler and she transitioned me to a sprinter, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “Macklemore! Before every race, I listen to him.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “‘Prison Break.’ It was just thrilling.”
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Favorite fictional character of all time: “Donald Duck. He’s always been my favorite since childhood.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My dad. He grew up in Australia and ran (track) and played soccer. I played soccer my entire life, and I’m going to run track in college, and he was a big part of that.”
Goals for this season: “I want to (record personal bests), break another school record after I broke the 400 last year and I want to try to defend my 200-meter state title.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “Watching movies and hanging out around my house with friends.”
Benjamin Hiestand, a Chugiak senior, talks before the shot put event at the Big C Relays track meet at The Dome in Anchorage on March 26, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Benjamin Hiestand, Chugiak
The Chugiak junior thrower is the Division I boys state champion in discus and came in fourth in the shot put at state last year. At the Big C Relays, he competed in the shot put and discus, setting a new personal best in the shot with a first-place mark of 50 feet, 3.25 inches Friday. He came back on Saturday and recorded the top mark in the discus as well, 161 feet, 1 inch.
How did you get started in track and field? “My brother (Edward). I always followed what he did when I was younger so in the third grade, I did sprints because I was just following him and then he transitioned to throws, so that’s what started getting me into throws too.”
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What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “I usually do no music so I can stay locked in and just focus.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “My favorite show is ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ and for movie series it’s ‘Ip Man’ for the martial arts and John Wick.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “Zuko from ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’ I just like his story of how he kind of redeemed himself at the end. He showed a lot of growth.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My brother. He taught me a lot and I was really thankful to have him growing up as an example.”
Goals for this season: “This season, I’ve been seeing massive breakthroughs in both shotput and discus and I’m ready to really see what I can do. … Last year I kind of ran into a slump in shot put and I didn’t really improve at all from freshman year, but this year I’ve been really hammering down on the rotational form and I’ve been seeing breakthroughs in that, and I’m really starting to feel comfortable with the rotational form.”
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What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “Just exploring and driving around and playing video games.”
Bella Connally of Juneau-Douglas talks with fellow competitors after a 100-meter sprint heat at the Big C Relays track meet at The Dome in Anchorage on March 26, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Bella Connally, Juneau-Douglas
The Juneau-Douglas sophomore sprinter is the reigning Division I girls state champion in the 100 meters and came in fifth in the 200 meters. At the Big C Relays, she competed in the 100 meters, finishing fourth in the prelims with mark of 13.03 seconds, second in the semifinals in a time of 12.90 seconds and first in the finals in a time of 12.68 seconds. She earned the title of Fastest Alaskan on the girls side.
How did you get started in track and field? “My brother. He did track and field and I saw him running all the time and I was like, ‘Whoa, that looks really cool,’ and I thought I’d be good at that too.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “I like to listen to Frank Ocean. I like to get in my feelings and stuff. I can’t do hype music.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “‘Modern Family’ and ‘The Office.’”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “I love ‘Spider-Man.’ The Tom Holland one is my favorite.”
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Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My brother.”
Goals for this season: “I’d really like to run a (personal record), I’d like to qualify for Nike Nationals, to win state again. That’d be really cool.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I like to do ceramics. I have a class in my high school for it, so basically every day.”
Joshua Woko of Mountain City Christian Academy competes in long jump at the Big C Relays track meet at The Dome in Anchorage on March 26, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Joshua Woko, Mountain City Christian Academy
The senior from Mountain City Christian Academy was Division II boys state runner-up in the triple jump in 2025 by about an inch, placed fifth in the long jump and was part of the state champion 4×400 relay team. At the Big C Relays, he competed in long jump and recorded the second-best mark with a new personal best of 20 feet, 8.75 inches on his first attempt, and he recorded the fifth-best mark in the high jump with 5 feet, 2 inches. He also helped the Lions Mixed Swedish Medley Relay team come in fifth place with a time of 2:19.50.
How did you get started in track and field? “I started my sophomore year. It was something I was kind of debating if I should do, but I was told, ‘Just try it out,’ and when I tried it out, I saw I was good at it and I decided to do it.”
What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “Rap music. Kendrick and Don Toliver.”
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What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “I’m into anime, so probably ‘Jujutsu Kaisen.’ I like the energy that each character has and the bosses they have to fight.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “Definitely my uncle. He’s my pastor and he’s also my spiritual leader, so he helps me with life struggles, shows me the right path to take, and he’s my counselor.”
Goals for this season: “I’m trying to make sure I do my best this year because I only have one last chance. … Try to (do well) in the 400 again and then get 43 (feet) for triple (jump) and at least 21 or 22 for long jump.”
What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I love watching shows, and I also love to play games like chess, and I also draw a lot.”
Dimond High’s Ailafo Fautanu answers questions at the Big C Relays track meet at The Dome in Anchorage on March 26, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Ailafo Fautanu, Dimond
The Dimond junior thrower was the Division I girls state runner-up in the shot put in 2025 and placed third in the discus. At the Big C Relays, she competed in the discus and produced the fourth-best mark at 99 feet, 6 inches, and came back on Saturday and recorded the third-best mark in the shot put with a mark of 33 feet, 9.25 inches.
How did you get started in track and field? “With volleyball being my main sport, I just thought, ‘Why not fill my free time with track and field?’ and it was really fun for me and I really liked the experience, so I just decided to keep going at it.”
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What is your favorite hype music genre, song or artist before an event? “No, I’m just locked in.”
What is the best movie or series you’ve watched in the past year? “‘The Miracle Season.’ I just like how the girls had something to motivate them and push them through the season and win their state championship. It’s a volleyball movie.”
Favorite fictional character of all time: “SpongeBob.”
Who is the most influential or inspirational person in your life? “My mom. She’s been a really good role model for me, she’s a hard worker, takes time out of the day to support her kids, even when she’s busy.”
Goals for this season: “Hopefully win a state championship but first reach my goals of (setting a new personal record).”
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What is your favorite non-sports leisure activity? “I like skiing and going hiking. I like to hike every once in a while to get in shape and stay in shape. I like to go on sunset drives to unwind from stressful weeks.”
Chugiak’s Jihsana Williams competes in a sprint event during the Big C Relays at the Dome in Anchorage on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Top performances
Nevaeh Watkins, a Dimond junior and reigning Division I girls 100-meter hurdles and high jump state champion, had quite the first day of action at the Big C Relays. She started by setting a new meet record for the high jump with a first-place mark of 5 feet, 2 inches, and followed it up by recording the fastest time in the 100-meter hurdle prelims and semifinals, which included a new personal best of 15.25 seconds in the semis.
Seward senior and reigning Division II boys state high jump champion Olin Liljemark was the only jumper to clear 6 feet in the event on Friday, which bested his title-winning mark of 5 feet, 10 inches from last year.
Mountain City Christian senior thrower Jieaya Siatini, who is the three-time Division II shot put state champion and reigning discus state champion, won the girls discus by a wide margin. Her mark of 128 feet, 4 inches was more than 23 feet farther than second-place finisher Mattelyn Elliott of Colony (105 feet). Siatini won the girls shot put as well with a mark of 39 feet, 10.75 inches. Runner-up Lilly Davidge, a Lathrop senior, recorded a mark of 33 feet, 11.5 inches.
Chugiak senior distance runner Hannah Shaha successfully defended her Big C title in the 3,200-meter race with a time of 11:53.92, which edged out Eagle River’s Ashlyn Paynter, who came in second at 11:56.32. Shaha, the 2023 Cross Country Gatorade Player of the Year, is also the reigning Division I girls state champion in the same event.
West Valley senior Cedar Robichaud outpaced Chugiak sophomore Frederick Millen III in the boys 100-meter finals with a first-place time of 11.26 seconds to earn the title of Fastest Alaskan.
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The Chugiak quartet of Luke Poland, Ahmir Walker, Elijah Udall and Frederick Millen III set a new meet record in the boys 4×100 meter race with a first-place time of 43.44 seconds, besting the previous record of 43.74.
Lathrop’s Wilson Lawson competes during the Big C Relays at the Dome in Anchorage on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Big C Relays
Girls
100 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Bella Connally 12.68, Juneau-Douglas
2. Sophia Jedlicki 12.77, Soldotna
3. Anna Green 12.83, South
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4. Sienna Johnson 13.04, Chugiak
5. Farrah Gamechuk 13.18, Bartlett
6. Taylor Eddington 13.22, Tri-Valley
100 Meters Pentathlon – Finals
1. Iris Haas 13.04, Delta Junction
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2. Caroline Klebs 13.69, Grace Christian
3. Katie Mackin 14.07, Bartlett
4. Kathryn DeBardelaben 14.17, Soldotna
5. Hannah Bodkin 14.21, Chugiak
6. Mari Ward 15.38, Holy Rosary Academy
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200 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Taylor Eddington 26.49, Tri-Valley
2. Farrah Gamechuk 26.92, Bartlett
3. Leila Petersen 27.17, Palmer
4. Shiloh Zichko 27.44, Soldotna
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5. Annelise Larsen 27.53, Colony
6. Evonna Council 28.18, East
400 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Kendall Barnett 1:00.07, West
2. Ellie Stull 1:00.52, Dimond
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3. Leila Petersen 1:01.06, Palmer
4. Petra Knox 1:01.33, Chugiak
5. Olivia Sandoval 1:01.43, Chugiak
6. Tagan Rinner 1:01.64, Grace Christian
1 Mile Varsity – Finals
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1. Kendall Barnett 5:09.70, West
2. Maddison Kukuk 5:26.60, Chugiak
3. Hannah Shaha 5:33.40, Chugiak
4. Kyra Walter 5:35.18, Chugiak
5. Fiona Selvik 5:35.79, Service
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6. Ashlyn Paynter 5:40.80, Eagle River
3200 Meters Varsity – Finals
1. Hannah Shaha 11:53.92, Chugiak
2. Ashlyn Paynter 11:56.32, Eagle River
3. Maddison Kukuk 11:56.57, Chugiak
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4. Kyra Walter 12:05.25, Chugiak
5. Rylee Ruggles 12:15.38, Chugiak
6. Myra Kalafut 13:05.23, Homer
100m Hurdles – 33″ / 0.838m Varsity – Finals
1. Nevaeh Watkins 15.14, Dimond
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2. Emilia Zych 16.25, Service
3. Emma Mersdorf 17.21, Mountain City Christian Academy
On this day in 1898, the United States Department of Agriculture would open an experimental station on Kodiak Island to experiment with cattle breeding.
The station, authorized by the 1887 Hatch Act, would open in Kalsin Bay, 14 miles to the south of present-day Kodiak
The station’s initial mission was to assess the adaptability of Galloway cattle to the island’s conditions. Different hay grains were also experimented with.
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Later, Sitka Black-tailed Deer and Roosevelt Elk would be introduced to the station, deer in 1900 and elk in 1928. While initially the elk were to be released on Kodiak Island, it was determined that the possibility of competition with the cattle for winter food meant that they would instead be introduced to Afognak Island to the north.
The Kalsin Bay Station was one of several that would be established throughout Alaska.
Forest Wagner pushes his fat bike on a drifted-in section of trail in Minto Flats National Wildlife Refuge on March 25, 2026.(Photo by Ned Rozell)
MANLEY HOT SPRINGS — It’s so quiet in these spruce hills and tamarack swamps that 27 hours and 50 miles passed between when Forest Wagner and I said goodbye to one human being at Old Minto and hello to the next near Baker.
Space is in ample supply here on these pressed-in snow trails between towns and villages of Interior Alaska.
Forest and I are out here riding these ephemeral ribbons of blue-white moving westward, with a goal of reaching Nome.
Last Saturday, when it warmed to minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit, I lurched my loaded fat bike out of my home in Fairbanks. Saying goodbye to my wife and dogs, I rumbled eastward on a boot-packed trail that after a mile led to a plowed bike path. I then rolled through the familiar University of Alaska Fairbanks campus and onward 8 miles to Forest’s cabin.
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He handed me a mug of coffee and an egg sandwich. Then we started pedaling our fat bikes down Chena Pump Road until we reached the Tanana River.
Forest Wagner, left, and Ned Rozell pause in front of the tripod on the ice of the Tanana River at the town of Nenana. When river ice breaks up, whoever guesses the exact time the tripod falls and pulls a cable will be the winner of the Nenana Ice Classic. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
We found a trail groomed for a multi-sport winter race, turned right, and headed downstream on our home river, there half a mile wide. It was a day when the weather finally nodded toward spring. Fair-a-dise showed up with bluebird skies as the day warmed to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
After a month of pillowy snows and crazy cold temperatures and re-telling people our new takeoff days to semi-suppressed eye rolls, we were finally unstuck from the glue of town.
If an object wasn’t hanging off our bikes, we didn’t need it. No more fiddling with the load or obsessing on the 7-day weather forecast. Just big ol’ tires humming on dry snow.
Now, five days and 145 miles later, Forest and I are digesting French toast and bacon our friend Steve O’Brien cooked for us as we wait on the dryer in the Manley washeteria. When we get a few dollar bills we will take showers.
The Tolovana Roadhouse at the mouth of the Tolovana River is open for travelers to rent a bunk in the original structure from the 1925 Serum Run lifesaving dog team mission. Ned and Forest slept here. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
It’s a good life here on the trail, just-add-water living at its finest. Eat everything in front of you, apply some sunblock and keep mashing on the pedals.
Steve O’Brien is one of the many people helping us move westward. In one of the most clutch moments, my wife Kristen and our friend Jen Wenrick appeared wearing headlamps on the packed snow ramp off the Tanana River in Nenana. They handed us burgers and fries from the Monderosa.
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After a surprise tough day due to soft trail that had us working real hard, those burgers and Cokes were like oxygen.
There have been many other acts of kindness from Jenna and David Jonas, Steve Ketzler, Forest’s dad Joe Wagner and others. Tonic for the body and soul.
Jenna Jonas holds her daughter Juniper while her other daughter Celia looks on. Jenna and David Jonas hosted Ned and Forest at their Tanana River homestead on the first night of the bikers’ trip. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
We will meet more excellent people, including some old friends, as we ratchet toward Nome.
When my satellite tracker is on, you can see our arrow creeping across the landscape here: https://share.garmin.com/NedRozell.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/adn/K5RL4GA4NZCPZJNAYKMG22KOQA.jpg?ssl=1 "OPINION: Lack of mental health resources amplifies homelessness in Alaska")
On this day in 1898, the United States Department of Agriculture would open an experimental station on Kodiak Island to experiment with cattle breeding.
