Vol10 | November | View Archive

The Kim Foundation, in collaboration with individuals, organizations, and healthcare providers throughout Nebraska, is pleased to bring you a monthly e-newsletter addressing mental health care.

We will provide you with access to valuable resources, connections to individuals and agencies working toward behavioral health reform, insight into successful programs offered in Nebraska, and updates on the latest news and events.

If you have comments, questions, or information you would like to share through the electronic newsletter, please email us at info@thekimfoundation.org.

For more information on mental health issues in Nebraska please visit www.thekimfoundation.org.

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Creighton University Offers Interactive Screening Program

Senior Solutions at Fremont Area Medical Center

Keya House Grand Opening – Lincoln, Nebraska

Not Alone Radio Program December Schedule

Creighton University’s Center for Health and Counseling recently announced the implementation of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) Interactive Screening Program. The program utilizes an online screening method that allows students to remain anonymous while communicating with counselors, further assisting students who may be in need of help but are reluctant to seek it.

The Interactive Screening Program was originally developed by AFSP in 2001 and was designed to identify college students at risk for suicide and promote treatment. Three-year pilot programs were implemented at colleges and universities from 2002 to 2005. Currently, AFSP is working to further expand the programs availability to include 30 sites nationwide by 2010.

A Creighton University Arts & Sciences junior Erin Sarmiento introduced and explained the new screening method to Dr. Michael Kelly, the director of the Center for Health and Counseling, after learning about it from an AFSP Out-of-the-Darkness event. After several months of planning, including building the Web site and training counselors, Creighton will be the first university in Nebraska to implement a trial run of ISP, according to Sarmiento.

Click here to learn more about the Interactive Screening Program as featured in the Creighton University newspaper.

Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) is approaching its second anniversary for Senior Solutions, a hospital-based intensive outpatient program that provides mental health services for adults ages 55 and older. Senior Solutions began providing services in March of 2008 and was started in collaboration with Diamond Health Care, a national behavioral health company.

FAMC’s Senior Solutions offers individualized treatment for older adults who suffer from psychiatric, emotional, or behavioral disorders and provides a more intensive level of care than traditional outpatient therapy. Participants in the program benefit from both group sessions and individual therapy. Individual treatment plans are created for each participant with reviews of the plans occurring every 30 days.

Recognizing the unique needs of elderly individuals and their caregivers, the program provides special attention to issues that may contribute to depression and other mental health issues for the elderly. Senior Solutions utilizes a holistic approach focusing on a variety of needs. Components of the program include:

• Group/family/individual therapy
• Coping/positive living skills
• Grief and loss resolution
• Medication management education
• Health and wellness training
• Communication skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Stress management
• Assertiveness training

Treatment is supervised by a psychiatrist and provided by a team that includes masters level clinicians and mental health providers. Caregivers, families, and primary care physicians are also encouraged to participate in treatment through Senior Solutions.

Goals of the Senior Solutions program include restoring optimum mental and physical health, alleviating symptoms that interfere with the individual’s ability to function, supporting the integrity of the family, and maximizing independence.

Referrals to the program are often received from physicians, assisted living and nursing facilities, in-home care agencies, and community services providers, however any concerned individual may refer themselves or someone else to the program. An initial clinical assessment is available at no cost to determine the need for services through Senior Solutions. Following the assessment an order for admission to the program must be made by a licensed physician. Transportation to and from the program is available within a 20-mile radius.

Heritage Center, a program similar to Senior Solutions is operated in Ord, Nebraska.

For additional information about FAMC’s Senior Solutions please call (402) 941-7240 or email Marcia Blum, Program Manager at mblum@famc.org.

Keya House, a peer-run, supportive environment that promotes empowerment, recovery, and healing for individuals with a behavioral health diagnosis, is celebrating its grand opening on December 9, 2009. The open house begins at 10 a.m. and the opening ceremony begins at 3 p.m. at the Keya House location, 2817 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Keya House is for adults age nineteen and older with a behavioral health diagnosis, who are not in severe crisis, and who live in the Region V Systems service area.

Keya House offers:

• Peers helping peers with crisis prevention and diversion from psychiatric distress that may lead to hospitalization.
• A comfortable, clean, and furnished four-bedroom house in a quiet and safe neighborhood.
• Self help and proactive recovery tools to regain and maintain wellness.
• Trained peer companions who are compassionate, understanding, empowering, and available twenty-four hours a day.

Keya House is a program of the Mental Health Association of Nebraska and is made possible through the generous support of Region V Systems.

For additional information about Keya House please contact David Tafoya, Program Coordinator, at (402) 441-4371 or via email at dtafoya@mha-ne.org.

Remember to join The Kim Foundation and KCRO channel 660 AM for Not Alone, a live talk radio program focused on behavioral health and recovery.

Airing every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Not Alone hosts guests from throughout Nebraska addressing a variety of topics. The schedule for August includes:

• December 1 – Regional Consumer Specialist; Regional Programs and Initiatives
  Consumer Specialists from each of Nebraska’s six behavioral health regions convene to discuss their roles as well as programs and initiatives currently underway in the regions and throughout the state of Nebraska.
• December 8 – Region 3 Behavioral Health Services
  Representatives with Region 3 Behavioral Health Services discuss their role in administering services, supports, and programs through the behavioral health system of care for residents in central Nebraska.
• December 15 – Consumer Perspective
  Consumers of mental health services provide their personal perspective and insight regarding issues related to mental health and share information on their own journey toward recovery.
• December 22 – A Family’s Perspective
  Parents and caregivers of children with behavioral health needs speak on a personal level about mental health issues affecting Nebraska's children.
• December 29 – Pediatric Psychiatry
  Guests specializing in the field of pediatric psychiatry share their knowledge and expertise as they discuss the latest happenings related to pediatric psychiatry in Nebraska.

Listeners outside of the broadcast area can access the radio program through KCRO’s website at www.kcro.com.

For more information on Not Alone or the Mental Health Minutes, please visit www.thekimfoundation.org.