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Before
becoming one of Nebraska's most vocal advocates for persons
with mental illness, Linda Jensen was a registered nurse teaching
nursing at then-Kearney State College while studying for her
Ph.D. All of that changed in 1991 when Dr. Jensen personally
experienced the devastating effects of mental illness in a
relative.
"It was then that I began to realize
just how devastating mental illness is, the pervasive stigma
surrounding it and the extreme lack of rehabilitative recovery-oriented
resources in Nebraska at that time," Dr. Jensen said.
"I took on improvement of care, resources and fighting
stigma as my way to find meaning in all my frustration and
sorrow."
Today Dr. Jensen continues to fight for
the rights of persons with mental illnesses through her leadership
on the Behavioral Health Oversight Commission of the Nebraska
State Legislature, South Central Behavioral Health Advisory
Council, Buffalo County Partners Mental Health Goals &
Suicide Prevention Task Force, the NAMI Nebraska Board of
Directors, Region III Mental Health Advisory Council, and
the Nebraska Nurses Association Advocacy and Representation
Commission.
To recognize her dedication to serving others,
Dr. Jensen will receive the UNMC Spirit of Community Service
Award.
Click
here to find out more about Dr. Jensen and her
important work.
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