the Bert Nash Community VOL.9 ISSUE 1
NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2016
Since 1950, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center has advanced the mental health of the Douglas County community through comprehensive behavioral services responsive to evolving needs and changing environments.
A
New therapy group to focus on trauma survivors
s a therapist, Heather Davis hears a lot of different stories, and they’re all unique. But there’s a common theme: Trauma.
with individuals of all ages who have experienced trauma, is starting a new trauma support group at the Center.
“Trauma is so common,” said Davis, an Adult Services therapist at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. “It’s rare to have someone come in who doesn’t have some degree of trauma.”
“There’s a need for it,” she said. “We’ve had trauma groups before, but we didn’t currently have one. We thought this was a good opportunity to start one.”
Davis described trauma as any traumatic incident, from a car accident to being a victim of a violent act. “Trauma impacts all of us,” she said. “There are different levels of trauma, but trauma is trauma.” Davis, who has a long history of working
consist of eight people, who will be referred by their primary therapist. Trauma is something that can often get in the way of treatment for those with mental illness, said Amy Warren, Adult Services director at Bert Nash.
“Individuals with mental health issues have The plan is for the group to start meeting a higher incidence of trauma than the the first week of April. To start, the group general population. Ignoring trauma can will be for women only, but Davis hopes delay recovery and if trauma goes unadto start a men’s trauma group at some dressed, individuals with mental illness point, and to have and substance use disorders the two groups are more likely to have poor run concurrently. physical health outcomes,” “It’s rare to The trauma group Warren said. “We are happy will consist of 12 to have Heather on staff to have someone sessions. The ideget this needed treatment al group size will started and to bring more atcome in who tention to this issue.”
doesn’t have some degree of trauma.”
Bert Nash therapist Heather Davis will lead the new trauma group.
One thing Davis wants to make clear about the group is the focus will be on the present and the future, not the past.
“This will not be a process group, meaning it’s not the kind of group where people will come and talk about their traumatic experiences. That is not what this will be,” she said. “The focus will be on coping strategies that focus on empowerment, safety, including emotional safety, and regaining control of one’s life and not allowing the trauma to define them.”
2 0 0 M AINE STREET | LAWRENCE , KS | 785 . 843.9 1 9 2 | www. Be rt N as h .o rg
Bert Nash team helps inmates reenter the community W
hen inmates with a history of mental illness are released from the Douglas County Jail, they don’t have to go back into the world without help. Or without a plan.
Once an inmate has reentered the community, the reentry team will provide supportive assistance for up to six months, after which the inmate can be released to regular Bert Nash case management.
The reentry program at the jail includes a staff person from the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center who works with inmates who have mental health issues before they are released, so they are better prepared to transition back into society.
In addition, thanks to a grant, Bert Nash added two mental health clinicians to conduct initial assessments on people reporting mental health needs at booking, focusing on women, veterans and those with a trauma history. The goal of the program is to provide post-booking diversion treatment options as an alternative to being in jail.
“It’s basically like case management,” said Sharon Zehr, who oversees the Bert Nash team at the jail, as well as the Center’s homeless outreach and hospital discharge teams. “We work closely with the rest of the jail reentry team to make sure those inmates have a plan for when they are released, like where they are going to be living, and to provide mental health treatment as well as reentry services.” Housing can be a challenge for inmates who have a history of homelessness. The reentry program has collaborated with the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority to provide a limited number of vouchers to assist reentry participants with subsidized housing. Affordable housing is key to success of the program, but more resources are needed.
A plan has been proposed to build a crisis center on the site of the former VFW building on Second Street, north of the Bert Nash Center. The proposed crisis intervention center would provide treatment options for those with mental illness. It is believed that early intervention of a mental health crisis will decrease the number of people eventually arrested for crimes related to mental health symptoms. “The idea is to try to keep people treated in the community and having crisis services here,” Zehr said. “If someone is having a mental health crisis, they need to be someplace where they are not only being watched, but they are also receiving treatment. This proposal would provide crisis stabilization, where a person could stay up to seven or 14 days, depending on what the needs were. The hope is that a crisis center would be a place to outreach people to sooner, so they don’t end up at the state hospital or at the jail.”
As the Bert Nash liaison to Osawatomie State Hospital, Zehr regularly sees some of the same people coming through the jail. Because of shortages of beds at Osawatomie State Hospital, there are limited options of where to send people who are having a mental health crisis, and for how long. That’s where the Bert Nash discharge team comes in. They work with people transitioning back into the community. “Because of the lack of bed space at the state hospital, people aren’t staying as long as they used to, and a lot of times when they come out they’re really not stable,” Zehr said. “They may not be a harm to themselves or others, but they still may be symptomatic. Part of the discharge team’s role is to make sure that mental health services are wrapped around those who are returning to the community, making sure they get their medications filled, making sure that continuum of care is still there, and getting them engaged with services.”
“If it wasn’t for the reentry program and Bert Nash and learning how to cope with things and learning new skills, I probably wouldn’t be here.” Visit BertNash.org to learn about more the services offered to our community.
Planning under way for crisis center Community invited to be part of the process
T
he community, including Bert Nash staff, had the opportunity to learn more about proposed crisis intervention center during public stakeholder sessions Feb. 9 and 10 at the Center. These were the first of such meetings. More public sessions will be offered as the design of the crisis center goes through the public review process.
avoid incarceration for people, because we will have those services available,” said Bert Nash CEO David Johnson.
Representatives from Treanor Architects, who will handle the design of the crisis center, were on hand both days to answer questions and take suggestions.
“One thing I really like about that location for the crisis center is the proximity to Bert Nash and the hospital. But perhaps best of all, it is next to the Sandra Shaw Community Health Park, and to be able to utilize the natural beauty of the area and be able to incorporate that into programs is very exciting,” Johnson said.
“The crisis center will be a community facility. It’s not intended to be an alternate jail. But with a crisis center we will be able to
County Administrator Craig Weinaug
Community input
Bert Nash has agreed to provide the land at the old VFW, just north of the Center, and the county has agreed to provide the funding for the building. Johnson said an optimistic timeline would be to begin construction in the fall with completion the next fall.
Treanor Architects
Commissioner Mike Gaughan
Public Process
Consumer thanks Bert Nash, reentry program for fresh start Ken Brouhard, 34, is an example of someone who has benefited from the reentry program. But it wasn’t easy. He has a long history of run-ins with the law and mental illness.
supportive, and then I actually learned I have to do it for myself.” When his father died in December, Brouhard had to draw upon the skills he learned through therapy and Bert Nash.
“Ever since I was growing up, I’ve had a lot of struggles in my life. I’ve been dealing with mental health issues for a long time,” said Brouhard, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“I would have thought that would have been the most damaging thing in my life to make me go crazy and do something stupid. I thought that would make me spiral down,” he said. “But I had made amends with my dad before he passed away and then I thought about how my father was so proud and all of these great people were there for me. That means a lot to me.”
Speaking recently as part of a consumer panel during crisis intervention training for members of the Lawrence Police Department, Brouhard talked about how the support he received through the reentry program, with help from Bert Nash, had put his life on a new course. “I used to self-medicate and I would get more and more suicidal,” Brouhard said. “If it wasn’t for the reentry program and Bert Nash and learning how to cope with things and learning new skills, I probably wouldn’t be here. Especially this last year and a half, I’ve had a lot of people be there and be
After the consumer panel presentation, Brouhard went into the audience and shook hands with officers and thanked them for helping him. “With reentry and Bert Nash and you guys being there for folks who have a mental health issue, I can hold my head up high,” Brouhard said. “Thank you, guys, for risking your lives. And thank you for going out there and saving our lives.”
Breakfast WRAP:
Optimists Club hears presentation about in-school therapy program “We make connections with people throughout the school, so kids can get the help they need with as few of barriers as possible and without the stigma.” -Charlie Kuszmaul,
WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities) team leader
Spreading the word about in-school therapy program
learn more about Bert Nash
Optimists learn about WRAP
Tour the Bert Nash Center to learn about important programs and services the center has to offer to the community. Visit bertnash.org for upcoming dates.
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Summer Program uses a holistic approach to being mentally and physically healthy, integrating physical activity, nutritional education and life-skill training for youth ages 11-18.
Learn the facts and warning signs of mental illness and how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem. Visit bertnash.org for schedule and more info.
become an advocate
Gearing up for summer program.
GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Barbara Ballard Brad Burnside Reed Dillon Jane Fevurly Steve Glass Don Grosdidier
Sue Hack David Johnson Cindy Maude, Chair Ken McGovern Bob Morse Elizabeth Sheils ENDOWMENT TRUSTEES
Beverly Billings LaRisa Chambers Jane Fevurly Carol Hatton Kelvin Heck David Johnson Alice Ann Johnston Cindy Maude
Michael McGrew Rachel Monger Linda Robinson, Chair Gary Sollars Beth Stella Mike Treanor Kelly Welch Judy Wright
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Chris Anderson Chuck Warner
Kelly Welch, Chair Jide Wintoki
200 Maine Street, Lawrence, KS 785.843.9192 | www.BertNash.org
INVITED MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016 5:30 –7:00 PM MACELI’S 1031 NEW HAMPSHIRE ST LAWRENCE, KS HORS D’OEUVRES SERVED efarley@bertnash.org or 785-830-1745