Opportunity to Change the Mental Health Care System

Diseases of the brain cover a wide spectrum, affecting infants born with effects of depression, to the elderly touched by dementias. We at The Kim Foundation are grateful when consumers and family members allow us to share their personal story, as it does bring hope and encouragement to others.

We’d like to introduce a special mom, the mother of a young adult on the autism spectrum, who also experiences other mental health disorders. As a nurse, the mother attended Nurse’s Day at the Nebraska Legislature in Lincoln on February 3, 2011. Her story motivates readers to become involved in our legislative process, and to truly address the opportunity to change the mental health care system.

Finding Hope, Supporting Others with Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Because of our work with The Kim Foundation, we have the privilege of meeting people with a wide range of gifts, talents, experiences, life journeys, and stories to tell. Each person we encounter enriches us as we observe their commitment, their courage, their faith, and their amazing personal resiliency. What incredible role models they have become for me, and how inspiring their messages!

Expanding Health Care Through Information Technology Solutions

Dr. Susan Boust, Medical Director of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, and Michael Rice, Associate Director, presented the Second Annual Behavioral Health Information Technology Summit in October. Technology is changing the way we provide health care and opportunities for enhancing the provision of mental health care are astounding.

An Opportunity for Learning, Kim Foundation Attends Community Events

I recently had the privilege of representing The Kim Foundation at various October meetings and events with the goal of inspiring an opportunity for more comprehensive and more successful mental health care for families. It is always a positive when others in the community recognize that mental illness affects one in four families and becomes involved in providing the community support programs necessary for sustained recovery.

Not Alone Radio Program, Oct. 12, 2010: Dr. Daniel Carlat, Author of “Unhinged”

Daniel J. Carlat, M.D. is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine, and is the Editor-in-Chief of The Carlat Psychiatry Report, a monthly newsletter on psychopharmacology widely read by psychiatrists and nurses in the United States. He joined Not Alone to discuss his most recent book, Unhinged: The Trouble with Psychiatry – A Doctor’s Revelations about a Profession in Crisis.

Not Alone Radio Program, Sept. 28, 2010: Respite Care Resource Center

The September 28 Not Alone broadcast addressed yet another need in the field of behavioral health care — the opportunity for affordable respite care for family members caring for those with special mental health needs. We often consider the need for emotional and physical refreshment for families caring for a child who is physically fragile, or caring for an elderly family member with memory or behavior challenges, but who cares for teens with behavior disorders so the family can experience some relief?

Online Screening Tools at BryanLGH Hospital

Recognizing that depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses, but also the most treatable, BryanLGH Hospital in Lincoln, Neb. offers a variety of online screening tools focused on mental health to assist people in finding help and take the necessary steps toward recovery.

Not Alone Radio Program, Sept. 21, 2010: Dr. Blaine Shaffer on Physician Suicide

Remembering that September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and recognizing that suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in the US, Not Alone invited Dr. Blaine Shaffer, the Chief Clinical Officer for the Division of Behavioral Health in Nebraska to speak with us about the increasing rate of depression and suicide by physicians.

Not Alone Radio Program, Sept 7, 2010: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

In honor of Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in September, Not Alone spoke with Joyce Hicks, and Kendra McCallie, representing the Nebraska Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Tuesday, September 7. We discussed the programs and events sponsored by AFSP to raise awareness for suicide prevention and to share facts on this troubling issue.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Funded by Out of the Darkness Walks

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, the Nebraska chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention holds its annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk [link] in Omaha on September 12 and in two other locations in Nebraska later in the month. In its sixth year, the Omaha walk is the second largest Out of the Darkness Walk in the country with more than 1400 participants last year.