Vol9 | October | 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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NAMI-Nebraska Receives Award, Expands Programs

Nebraska Medicaid Consumer Complaint Process

Support and Family Education (SAFE): For Families and Friends of Veterans Who Struggle with Mental Illness

Alternatives Conference Reminder

Not Alone Radio Program November Schedule

In Our Own Voice

NAMI-Nebraska was recently selected as one of only two states to receive a $5000 seed grant to expand its signature In Our Own Voice program throughout the state.

In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a public education program in which consumers share their personal stories of living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Through the sharing of these individual accounts, presenters work to provide participants with a deeper understanding of what it is like to live with mental illness and the work necessary to stay in recovery.

Currently Nebraska has three trainers for the In Our Own Voice program. Some of the funds received through the grant will be used to sponsor an additional training for persons interested in becoming presenters. This training will be offered in the spring of 2010.

In Our Own Voice presentations are available free of charge to consumer groups, students, law enforcement, educators, providers, faith communities, politicians, professionals, and other interested community members throughout Nebraska.

For additional information on In Our Own Voice or to request a presentation in your area, please contact Jonah Deppe at jdeppe@nami.org or call (402) 345-8101.


NAMI Basics

NAMI Basics is the newest signature education program designed specifically for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illness. Provided by trained teachers who are themselves the parent or caregiver of individuals who developed symptoms of mental illness prior to their 13th birthday, these trained facilitators are now available to provide Basics in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Hastings areas.

The Basics course consists of six sessions each lasting for 2 ½ hours in length. Geared to provide parents and caregivers current information, help them cope with the impact that mental illness has on their loved one and their family, and provide tools for future use, course topics address a variety of topics, some of which include:

• The stages of emotional reactions to the mental illness
• Current information and research related to mental illness and evidence-based treatment strategies available
• Examples of strategies that have been found to be helpful including problem solving, listening, and communication skills
• Information related to school systems, the mental health system, and community supports and services

For additional information on NAMI Basics and other signature programs available through NAMI-Nebraska please contact Jonah Deppe at jdeppe@nami.org or call (402) 345-8101.

How to Make a Complaint to Magellan Health Services

Magellan Behavioral Health of Nebraska, LLC is currently the administrative services organization for Nebraska Medicaid. Magellan wants to make sure you receive quality mental health care through Nebraska Medicaid. Each year a survey is sent out asking for participant’s opinion. The 2009 survey indicated that some individuals are not aware of how to express complaints they may have. Your opinion matters. And we want to make sure you know how to do this.

Since the survey, Magellan has been educating providers, consumers, and family members about filing a complaint. We want to tell you about the process here, too. You and your family members can call 1-800-424-0333 at no cost, to tell Magellan about your complaints. You can ask for the Magellan consumer and family advocate or the Quality Improvement Department.

You can also send us your complaints by mail. Please mail complaint letters to:

Vicki Beth Blattert MSE, LMHP
Clinical Reviewer
Magellan Health Services
P.O. Box 82047
Lincoln, NE 68501-2047

Be sure to include the following information in your letter:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your phone number
• Details about what happened
• What you have already done to try to resolve the problem

Magellan will reply to your phone call or letter as quickly as possible. You will be notified that your complaint has been received within one day of Magellan receiving it. You will receive a full response within 30 days. Magellan will get back to you sooner if your complaint is urgent.

When you hear from Magellan they will share what they found out about your complaint and what they will be doing to help. You can ask for an appeal if you do not agree with the decision. Magellan can help you do that if you do not know how.

For Families and Friends of Veterans Who Struggle with Mental Illness

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System offers various resources to veterans and their family members in Nebraska and Iowa. The Support and Family Education (SAFE) program offered through the VA is one such program that assists veterans who struggle with mental illness and their family members and friends.

The SAFE program is offered monthly and is a 1 ½ hour confidential workshop. The program is held at the VA hospital in Omaha and available via telehealth at the Lincoln and Grand Island VA clinics. There is no cost associated with participating in the program and all adolescent and adult family members of a veteran are welcome to participate.

Attending the SAFE program provides opportunities to:

• Talk to other family members in similar situations
• Learn more about causes, treatments, and medications for mental illness
• Receive emotional support and encouragement
• Ask mental health staff about mental illness
• Learn about treatment options available at VA NWIHCS, Omaha, and in the community
• Learn how to make time for yourself as a caregiver

The next SAFE program will be offered Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Educational Conference Room on the first floor of the main VA hospital building. The topic for the November session is “Depression/Bipolar Disorder and its Impact on the Family”.

If you would like to learn more about the SAFE program or future sessions, please contact Natalie at 1-800-451-5796 ext. 9-4944 or Colleen at 1-800-451-5796 ext. 9-4396.

The 23rd Annual Alternatives Conference, the only national mental health conference organized by and for people diagnosed with mental illnesses, has come to Omaha! Alternatives will be held October 28th through November 1st at the Hilton Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. The conference offers in-depth technical assistance on peer-delivered services and self-help/recovery methods. More than 150 Nebraskans are registered to attend!

For additional information on the Alternatives Conference, please visit www.alternatives2009.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:

• November 3 – Mental Health Services for the Military
  Representatives from Lutheran Family Services and The Peace Center discuss behavioral health services available to active military, veterans, and their loved ones. Lutheran Family Services will share additional information on their new program, At Ease, a trauma treatment and therapeutic support program serving individuals affected by untreated trauma reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• November 10 – Veterans Administration
  Guests from the Veteran’s Hospital in Omaha share information with listeners regarding mental health services and issues affecting returning veterans.
• November 17 – Support for Grieving Children
  Individuals and staff from Ted E. Bear Hollow share information about the center and support available for grieving children and teens.
• November 24 – Nebraska Children’s Home Society
  Representatives from the Nebraska Children’s Home Society will discuss services available through the organization as well as pre- and post-adoption needs identified by families they serve. Their appearance coincides with National Adoption Awareness month.

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.