Response Update from Patrick Schmitz, Bert Nash CEO

As you know, things continue to change day by day and even hour by hour. We have modified our services to adapt to this challenge, but remain committed to meet the mental health needs of our community during this crisis. I want to thank the entire Bert Nash Center team for the tremendous work that they are doing in helping us with our initial response to the

COVID-19 pandemic. I am so impressed and grateful for the tremendous work they are doing whether in the office or remotely to make it possible for us to respond to our community’s essential mental health needs.

As the release by the Governor’s Executive Order directs, the general public and all non-essential workers are to limit their activity outside of their home for the duration of the Order.

Providers of mental health services are specifically exempt from this Stay at Home Order because we are a vital part of the healthcare delivery system. To be clear, our community, the County, and the State of Kansas see a community mental health center as an essential healthcare provider, a critical component in the healthcare system.

As such, we must maintain our capacity to serve going forward, albeit in a variety of new and different ways. Going forward, beginning this week and continuing for the foreseeable future, we will be changing operations in the following ways:

—  All non-crisis, routine services that can be delivered virtually will be. Staff are rapidly repositioning themselves to begin delivering their appropriate services virtually, including televideo and telephone.

—  Community-based team members who see clients out in the community may continue to do so as long as social distancing precautions are maintained. (i.e., outdoors in their yard, on a walk, meet at a park, etc.) All clients will be verbally prescreened before meeting with their BNC provider. Services are available virtually as well.

—  There will be no transporting of clients. The only exception is when transporting a client for an approved medical appointment that is non-COVID-19 symptom/condition related. Team members must confirm necessity of the appointment with the medical provider prior to transporting the client and must complete the prescreening process with the client prior to arriving for transportation. Staff may not transport the client for any other reason even if an additional location(s) is en route to and from the medical appointment.

—  Bert Nash Center office hours have been reduced to 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays; walk-ins will be accepted up until one hour before close. All services provided to clients will be done so exclusively on the First Floor. This service method is restricted to those individuals who need an in-person admission, crisis service and med services. Whenever possible, intakes, crisis and med services will also be handled virtually. Appointment times for services conducted virtually remain flexible and appropriate to the client’s needs in collaboration and consultation with the service provider.

— The Community Support Services and Child and Family Services check-in desks are closed until further notice.

-- Offices that are used for direct client service must comply with social distancing requirements and will be  regularly cleaned with approved cleansers and methods. 

— Options will also be developed to create virtual delivery methods or who lack the technology in their home.

—  Prescreening of all clients entering will continue both through appointment reminder calls as well as upon entering the building. This must be done prior to every service whether in office or in the community.

These operational changes will be in place for the next 30 days and we will re-evaluate this time frame as the situation continues to develop and in consideration of the community’s needs. We are also encouraging everyone to pay close attention to their mental health in these stressful times. The pandemic could cause some people with pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma to experience heightened symptoms.  It could cause others without mental health conditions to experience symptoms such as anxiety or depression for the first time in their lives. If you or someone you know needs support, we are here to help.

You can reach us at 785-843-9192. We continue to compile and share COVID-19 materials at www.bertnash.org and on the Bert Nash Center’s social media platforms.

While we remain committed to meeting the essential mental health needs of our community, we need your financial support to deliver the existing and growing need for services due to this crisis. You can help us to meet these critical needs with a donation to the Bert Nash Center.

Thank you, friends. Be safe, be well, be healthy.

Patrick Schmitz, Bert Nash Center CEO