Not Alone Radio Program, Dec. 13: Dr. Susan Boust

Susan Boust, M.D., reminded us that mental health is a hidden public health problem; it receives little public attention, programs are underfunded, and there remains a shortage of mental health professionals across our state.

Not Alone Radio Program, Nov. 29: Shoplifting

We deliberately saved our broadcast regarding the addiction to shoplifting for the holiday season. Douglas County, which includes the Omaha community, experiences nearly 7000 shoplifting arrests annually, however; we learned that people shoplift on average 48 times for every 1 time they are caught! This is an addiction; when shoplifters steal, a chemical reaction takes place in the brain, giving them a ‘high’. The ‘high’ becomes the reward, not the merchandise taken. We learned that shoplifters ‘reward’ themselves this way, as they relate better to ‘material things’ than they do to people!

Not Alone Radio Program, Nov 22: Chaplains

Our guests today were three Chaplains with the Nebraska Army National Guard. Our Chaplains were so wise and kind, and truly love their soldiers and the families. The Chaplains were especially proud of Nebraska’s Peer to Peer Intervention Program, where soldiers learn to look out for one another and to check for signs of depression or emotional loss.

Not Alone Radio Program, Oct. 11: Mental Health Issues in the Senior Population

Mom used to tell me that “getting old is not for sissies.” You know, she was right! Today Dr. Steve Wengel, Chair of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry, and Dr. Dennis McNeilly, who directs the Division of Geriatric Services for UNMC, talked about the courage, the resiliency, and the surviving spirit that make today’s senior generation such strong and self-sufficient people. Sometimes however, these values and this sustaining attitude can cause detriment when older people are suffering from depression, and can prevent them from seeking medical treatment.

Mental Health Care in Nebraska

Nebraska has attracted some incredible talent in the field of mental health; people who understand the illnesses, who understand the effects on families, and who understand the need for the state to change and to move into a new realm of healing opportunity. Rather than embracing their knowledge and leadership; however, we often appear to dig into our comfort zone ignoring wonderful opportunities to make Nebraska a health leader in the nation.

Nebraska continually ranks close to the bottom in the provision of mental health care. We seem to lack the political will to develop community-based treatment centers that have proven so effective in other states. We seem to lack the motivation to invest in additional healing opportunities for children. We seem to believe that short-term residential treatment is ineffective, yet we are persuaded to enlarge the prison system.

Not Alone Radio Program, Sept. 27: Depression

The September 27 broadcast of Not Alone focused on depression; severe depression that seems to overwhelm life, and robs people of hope. Dr. Miers and Dr. Belau reminded us that depression affects each person differently, and asked us to take stock of our own feelings, or maybe become more aware of the needs of those around us.

Not Alone Radio Program, Sept. 6: Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition

Dr. Dave Miers with BryanLGH Medical Center Behavioral Health Care, Dr. Don Belau of the Geneva Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, and Barb Scholz, author of Our Forever Angel, talked about the impact of suicide on families, and the need for families to receive grief counseling early in their loss. The Establishment of Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Teams helps grieving, surviving family and friends find the support and encouragement they need to begin their healing process.

Not Alone Radio Program, Aug. 16: Gambling Addiction

Today’s Not Alone broadcast was challenging! We talked about problem gambling. Do you know that Nebraska kids tell us they first start placing bets when they are under 10 years old? Some young people do fine; they learn to count by playing 21, they play Bingo with Grandma, and by the time they are teens they are playing poker at home with ‘the guys’ on Saturday night, eating pizza and drinking sodas, and we are glad we know where they are, that they are safe and out of harms way. Usually.

Trauma Informed Care Programs

When a person is involved in a traumatic event, like a car crash, a team of surgeons work to fix the physical damage that may have been caused. But how is the emotional and mental damage caused by the event resolved? Scott Carlson, a mental health professional and Director of Heartland School says that like any other wound left untreated, trauma will continue to fester in a person and can show up in acting out behaviors like ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder, or depression.

Not Alone Radio Program, July 19: Borderline Personality Disorder

For the 18 million Americans experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder, emotions and feelings can become incredibly powerful. Stormy and intense relationships, feelings of being lost and alone, or experiencing unbearable emotional pain can all be part of this disorder.