News & Notes

Anna Oliver’s introduction to the Bert Nash Center came at the right time. That was three and a half years ago. “There was a family member who was going through some issues, so that’s the reason I got involved with Bert Nash,” Oliver said. That personal connection motivated Oliver to get involved with Bert Nash. She’s been a dedicated Bert Nash Ambassador volunteer ever since. “It really opened my eyes that it was OK to talk about mental health,” Oliver said. Her sister-in-la

Bert Nash Center was honored and proud to have the WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities) team meet with Steve Maceli, Brandon Eisman, and Tasha Foster for a check presentation and to share how the $10,000 prize Steve earned as the winning contestant in the Transformations Charity Gala 2019 will impact students and families for years to come. WRAP is a Bert Nash school-based mental health program where — working in partnership with Lawrence and Eudora Public Sc

Jeremy Auman has battled depression most of his life. Or, as he said, “for always.” His great-aunt and grandmother did as well. They also had bipolar disorder, though back then it was called a nervous breakdown, he said. The way people reacted toward his great-aunt and grandmother made an impression on Auman. “I saw the stigma that they had to deal with,” he said. Auman, who has bipolar disorder, has experienced the stigma about mental illness himself. He decided to do someth

Starting next month, Bert Nash and the KU Public Management Center will enhance their partnership. The community mental health center and the Public Management Center (PMC) have developed a plan for PMC to provide ongoing leadership training for Bert Nash supervisors. The first training session will be in April at the Center. “Our board and our leadership team are very enthusiastic about this partnership with the Public Management Center,” said Bert Nash HR Director Scott Cri

What do you love about your job? I truly love spending time with the clients out in the community. It doesn’t get old. I’ve been in this field for over 25 years, 11 at Bert Nash. I have daily contact with clients. I love knowing what is going on with them and keeping up with them. What has been the highlight for you during your time at Bert Nash? It sounds like a cliché, but it truly has been seeing the progress the clients have made. I log hundreds of miles a week transport

Joe Douglas likes being part of a team. That’s been one of his favorite things about working at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. Douglas, a psychiatrist in Adult Services, who has been part of the Center’s medical staff since 2001, is retiring this month after a nearly 50-year career in the mental health field. “I enjoy the collaboration and people supporting each other,” Douglas said. “I enjoy working with a multifaceted, multitalented staff. That’s one of the t

John Sebelius believes in the healing power of art. He’s seen it happen. Sebelius, a Lawrence artist, has worked with veterans as part of the Stress Disorder Treatment Program at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Center in Topeka, teaching art to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use and other challenges. He currently serves as Artist-In-Residence at Cofrin-Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment at the University of Kansas. “Art is

What do you love most about your job? I love working with people. I have always felt joy from serving others, empowering them and helping them meet their goals. What have been some of the highlights for you during your time here? I have really enjoyed working with the children and families. I have also had the pleasure of working with wonderful co-workers who have encouraged and supported me. I know families often come to us when life circumstances are difficult. I hope to g

It takes a lot of people to keep things running smoothly, they deal with people of all kinds, oftentimes they’re sad or moody. An absolute favorite I always see when walking through the door, is a perky, encouraging, spitfire gal who’s been there a long time before. Professional as this woman is, she always finds time to care, people watch her every day, to this she’s unaware. The world would say that we are broke, no fix in sight to see, but Carole connects us to all that’

Statistically speaking, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth are at a disproportionate risk for depression, suicide, and substance abuse. They also can feel isolated, alienated or bullied. A new LGBT group for youth was started in the summer of 2017 at the Bert Nash Center to provide a support system so teenagers have a safe place to talk. Bert Nash also offers a support group for transgender adults. “That was the motivation for the group, just kids needing a s

Men aren’t necessarily known for expressing their feelings or being vulnerable. Which is why when Julian Brown, Bert Nash Adult Outpatient Program therapist, started a client group for men he wasn’t sure how open or talkative they would be. Turns out, they had plenty to talk about. “Initially, I was thinking there would be a lot of reservation coming from the guys,” Brown said. ‘But they have been very vocal. They jumped right in and started talking about things.” Participant

Trauma-informed care is more than just a different approach to behavioral and mental health care. It is a totally new way of doing things. “Trauma-informed care is a concept, a way of thinking that informs actions,” said Julia Gaughan, who serves as the point person for this agency-wide effort at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. “It is a cultural shift with how we all work together as an agency and how we work with the people we serve.” Trauma-informed care grew