NEWS & NOTES

I think I knew I wanted a career in mental health after taking abnormal psychology for a general education requirement during undergrad at KU. At that time, I was a biology major, but I quickly switched to psychology and I loved it. I felt the content of my classes was much more accessible, I didn’t need to have a periodic table or microscope. I could learn about a diagnosis or concept and then I could observe examples play out in real life as I walked around campus. I had a

Growing up as a young girl in the ’70s, I had friends who were experiencing trauma at home. I didn’t know how to help them then, except to listen and offer hugs. Some of my friends in high school were suicidal. I came out as gay in 1986 at 16 years old, to my high school, in a letter to the school paper. I experienced bullying and suicidal ideation myself. I took a psychology class in high school, and from that point onward I knew I wanted to help people who were struggling w

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 remot

In some instances, drama can have a negative connotation. That certainly isn’t the case with what Barrett Scroggs does. He uses drama to encourage creative growth and mental health. Scroggs, a graduate student at Kansas State University, uses drama therapy every week when working with high school and middle school students in the secondary therapeutic classroom at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center in Lawrence. The classroom, a partnership between Bert Nash and USD 497

Schools are in the business of educating students. But a student’s mental well-being can interfere with that learning process. A lot of things in their personal lives can spill into their educational life -- for instance, if they are finding it hard to keep up with the curriculum, no matter the age, and they don’t have access to the books they need, as well as tap into free educational assistance online. Again, this doesn’t cover the root of the problem and kids need to know