News & Notes

I began my career standing at the bars of the Des Moines City Jail, interviewing people to see if they qualified for release on their own recognizance or release with treatment services. Since then, I have visited jails and prisons in multiple states. I know we have a major problem with mass incarceration in our country. If you have a serious mental illness in America, you are 10 times more likely to be in prison or jail than in a hospital. How can I support expanding the Dou

Lawrence Chapman was one of the Van Go student artists who worked on the mural at Bert Nash. It took all of eight weeks to complete the design and painting of the mural on the second floor of the Bert Nash Center. That was 14 years ago. But the impact the mural has on children and families who visit the second floor of the Center lives on. “It’s great to hear it’s still having an impact,” said Lawrence Chapman, who was one of the student artists who worked on the project. “It

Everyone could use some TLC. For people who struggle with depression, that is especially true. In this case, TLC stands for Therapeutic Lifestyle Change, rather than tender loving care. Preliminary research suggests that Therapeutic Lifestyle Change is an effective treatment for depression. Bert Nash offers a TLC group that meets every Tuesday. It’s an open group, so a client can join at any point. “The group is very diverse,” said a client who attends the TLC group. “There

Mental Health First Aid is life-changing and can be life-saving. I took the course at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center five years ago when I was a health reporter for a television station and newspaper. I wanted to be better educated about mental health because I interviewed people who suffered mental disorders, attempted suicide, and had lost loved ones who died by suicide. I wanted to make sure I was asking the right questions and sending the appropriate messages th

School's out, and that means its time for the Bert Nash Summer Program. The program, called Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, will run from June 7th to July 28th and will involve about 75 kids. It’s a lifesaver for parents who struggle to fill their children’s time with fun and interesting activities during the summer holidays, and it can teach them important life skills. "We have a lot of kids this year," said Rhonda Stubbs, who oversees the program and leads the group for eleme

Paul Williams likes being behind the scenes. But not nearly as much as he likes helping people. Williams, the Bert Nash Mental Health Center IT manager, is the epitome of a problem-solver. And he’s an all-around good guy besides. Described in a nomination letter as “Someone who is liked and respected by everyone at Bert Nash,” Williams was the recipient of the 2016 Sandra Shaw Spirit Award, named for the longtime Bert Nash CEO, who died in 2010. The award is the highest honor

As the leader of anxiety therapy groups at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Jason Khomsi knows what he’s talking about. Because he’s lived it. He is just one of many who have lived through it and have come out of the other side. For people who are suffering from anxiety, they may never think that they will achieve a breakthrough, but with the right services and treatment, you will be successful Going to mental health centers or deciding to research alternative me

Walk into Angie Boster’s apartment these days and the window blinds will be open. That never used to happen. “I didn’t want the outside world seeing me,” she said. Now she’s not afraid to let the light – or the outside world – in. 2015 was a big year for Boster, 45, and it all started with a decision on New Year’s Day. “I usually don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I did last year,” she said. “I told myself this year was going to be different.” It was. “It’s like she turned

The Center lost a dear friend last week. Bob Nash was so proud of the staff and the outstanding work of the Center and would frequently say he knew his father would be touched that his name and legacy have continued on for so many years. We will sincerely miss Bob’s presence at our events and hold Barbara and his family in our hearts and thoughts.

For as long as anyone can remember, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and law enforcement have had a working relationship. Since the early 2000s, that relationship has changed. For the better. “I see it as a partnership,” said Amber Rhoden of the Lawrence Police Department. “We want to understand what they do, and they want to understand what we do and why we do it. Everybody is like let’s break down the walls and move forward.” Douglas County Sheriff Ken McGovern has

When 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. 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. “It’s basically like case management,” said Sharon Zehr, who oversees

As a therapist, Heather Davis hears a lot of different stories, and they’re all unique. But there’s a common theme: Trauma. “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.” 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