Meet the Staff

Richard is a founding leader in the creation of Morning Star Mental Health where he has worked for 17 years. He has been in recovery for 21 years from schizoaffective disorder, drug addiction and severe depression. Before Morning Star, he ran a successful carpentry business. His wife, Elizabeth Stitt, is the happiest thing in his life. He enjoys movies, his church and all the great friendships he has created at Morning Star. 

Kim is Assistant Director at Morning Star Mental Health and does our books. She also does peer support with our members, and helps people with severe mental illness create fantastic lives worth living. She is also in charge of the Art Group. Kim struggles with severe depression and anxiety but does not let that stop her. She likes to go for walks, to swim and to take care of her beautiful dogs. 

Stan is the founding Vice President of Morning Star. He has been involved since 2002 and is currently board president. He is also on the Pawnee Mental Health Board in Manhattan. Stan has been in recovery from severe mental illness for many years. He works at Lazy T Ranch and is passionate about martial arts, writing and Tai Chi. He is always active in advocating for people with lived experiences of mental illness. 

Elizabeth grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and is still a hippie at heart. She has worked at Morning Star Mental Health for 8 years and credits it for bringing her out of isolation and loneliness to help her recover from bipolar disorder with psychotic features and addiction. She has two loving brothers who support and bring joy to her life. She loves classic rock, Disney movies, and opals from her loving husband, Richard Stitt. 

Dantia has been diagnosed with: psychosis, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder,  anorexia, delusional disorder, ADHD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder. Some of these labels seem to fit, others do not. She has a BA from the University of Iowa, an MA from Stanford University and was a Fulbright Scholar to the Czech Republic.