the Bert Nash CommunityN E W S L E T T E RVOL. 4, ISSUE 3 Fall 2011

20 0 M A I N E S T R E E T | L AW R E NC E , K S 6 6 0 4 4 | (7 85) 8 4 3 - 919 2 | w w w.b e r t n a s h .or g

S i n c e 19 5 0, t h e B e r t Na s h C om mu ni t y Me n ta l He a l t h C e n te r h a s a d v a n c e d t h e m e n ta l h e a l t h o f t h e D o u gl a s C o u n t yc om mu ni t y t hr o u gh c om pr e h e n s i v e b e h a v i or a l h e a l t h s e r v i c e s r e s p on s i v e to e v o l v i n g n e e d s a n d c h a n g i n g e nv i r on m e n t s .

+ A New Focus on Group Therapy

page 3+ Nancy Shontz Educational Series + Upcoming Events

page 4page 2+ Nash Dash & Bash

The Bert Nash Center has conducted summer camps for school aged children for many years. This summer, the groups were comprised of students from ages six to 19. Camp participants included students who are diagnosed with mental health challenges such as severe ADHD, mood disorders, or anxiety disorders, to name a few. Several different age groups met either daily or twice-weekly. Groups consisted of an elementary school group that met at Pinckney School. Other age groups met at the Bert Nash Center and included a group for middle school boys and one for girls, and a transition group of students aged 16-19. The goal of all of the groups is to help students improve their interpersonal skills, develop positive self-esteem and learn how to better manage stress and conflict both at home and at school. Another key goal is to ensure that progress made during the previous school year is maintained, and to help students prepare for the challenges of the next grade level. Each student also had specific individual goals they were working on. Rhonda Stubbs, case manager in Child and Family Services at Bert Nash, directed the groups. “We have been fortunate to receive help from the Lawrence School system, the City and the federal government. This has been a true collaborative effort to help our school-aged children. The Lawrence School System provided meeting space at Pinckney School. The City of Lawrence provided free swim passes and the federal government provided a free or reduced lunch program” stated Stubbs.

Recognizing that good mental health depends on good physical health, the course curriculum included many different activities such as running, bowling, playing tag, swimming and yoga. Students were also taken on several field trips including visits to the Lawrence Public Library, KU Museum of Natural History, West Junior High community garden, and CiCi’s Pizza where they learned how to make their own pizzas.

One of the most popular activities was “bring your pet and your parent to camp” day, according to

Stubbs. “The students were so proud to introduce their pets – and their parents – to their classmates.

Students shared tips on caring for rabbits, ferrets, and dogs with each other. It was a

good vehicle for building self-esteem. We make improvements every summer to our curriculum. We learned a lot this year and will apply those lessons to next year,” continued Stubbs. Stubbs reported that one of the most

meaningful parts of camp is the learning that happens in the group activities. “The

students just amaze you at times in their ability to empathize with their peers and come up with

great solutions for each other. Adults sometimes over-think problems - it never ceases to amaze me how the kids help each other problem solve.”

a summer to remember Bert Nash Summer Camps: A Great Resource for Kids and the Community

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sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available.contact cindy hart at chart@bertnash.org or 785-830-1837.

Spread the word to your friends and families - all proceeds of this family - friendly event benefit the Bert Nash Center.

To learn more visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BertNashDashBash, and follow us on Twitter, @nashdashbash.

A great event for an even greater cause

• Start time for both the 5k & 10K will be 8:30 am on Sunday, October 9.

• We have made changes to the race routes and they will be even better and USTAF certified. They will include the popular Hill Challenge and exciting downtown Lawrence start and finish. • Celebrate after the race with live music, more kids’ activities, food and beverages.

• Local bands Quiet Corral and Split Lip Rayfield are in the lineup for the Nash Bash stage.

• Cost to register for the 5K is $30; for the 10K the cost is $35 (for a $5 discount, register before 9/15/11).

We received lots of positive feedback after the 2010 Nash Dash & Bash and it is helping us make the event even better this year! Here are a few things you can look forward to:

groupBased on the success of our existing group therapy programs, the Bert Nash Center is expanding the list of available group therapy programs. This decision is guided by academic research and feedback from clients who have been part of a group.

Group therapy is a form of counseling in which a small number of people come together under the guidance of a professionally trained therapist to help themselves and one another. Participants in the group are facing similar issues and challenges in life; meeting as a group allows them to share their stories and learn from each other. Participants benefit from understanding, support, and encouragement from one another.

Most personal problems are interpersonal in nature. In other words, they stem from difficulties with other people, including family members, co-workers, people in positions of authority or complete strangers. Group therapy offers the unique opportunity to explore and understand how you relate to others and get feedback from others in a safe and comforting environment.

• Participants discover they are not alone. Groups can help individuals lower their sense of isolation from others and reduce fear of social participation.

• Participants have the benefit of a professional guiding the discussion.

• Being in a group allows participants to better understand how others manage similar problems.

• Participants gain insight and develop new perspectives, ideas and viewpoints on issues they are facing.

• Participants learn new coping skills and have opportunities to practice those skills.

• Research has demonstrated that groups can produce quicker results than individual therapy.

• Lastly, the most common quality in the lives of happy individuals is their connection to others. Group therapy can improve your ability to connect with others.

Advantages of group therapy

a new group therapy focus

For more information on group therapy, please visit bertnash.org or call785-843-9192.

therapy

some of The mental health challenges the groups address include anxiety, depression, anger management & mood disorders

All of the groups are conducted by a qualified mental health professional and everyone agrees to mutual confidentiality

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Governing Board of DirectorsBarbara Ballard, Reed Dillon, Frank DeSalvo, Steve Glass, Don Grosdidier, Carol Hatton,David Johnson, CEO, O. Maurice Joy, Louise “Bootsie” Lauridsen, Cindy Maude,Ken McGovern, Chair, Elizabeth Sheils, Richard Spano, Doug Stephens

Endowment TrusteesDavid Ambler, Justin Anderson, Bill Beedles, Jason Edmonds, Rosy Elmore, Chair, Carol Hatton, Kelvin Heck, David Johnson, CEO, Alice Ann Johnston, Ken McGovern, Beth Stella, Mike Treanor

Investment CommitteeWilliam Beedles, Chair, Carolyn Shelton, Chuck Warner, Kelly Welch200 MAINE STREET, SUITE A | LAWRENCE, KS 66044 | (785) 843-9192 | bertnash.org

Sharon Salzberg2011 Nancy ShontzEducational Series SpeakerOn June 23 and 24 Center staff and other area professionals participated in a two-day meditation training course taught by well-known meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg. Sharon Salzberg is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She has been a student of meditation since 1971, guiding meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Sharon’s latest book is Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program, published by Workman Publishing.

The purpose of the training was to provide staff with tools to reduce stress, enhance self-care and cultivate balance and clarity. During the training, the staff learned contemplative meditation techniques designed to reduce stress and to cultivate greater calmness and clarity of mind.

“This two-day seminar provided some very practical tools for helping Center staff develop as professionals and enhance their therapeutic skills. We are pleased to have been able to bring this world-renowned speaker to the Center,” stated Juliet Nelson, Ph.D. “The training was perfectly in line with the goals of the Nancy Shontz educational series, which are to promote educational excellence in the area of community mental health for our staff, colleagues and community at large.”

The Nancy Shontz Educational Series, started in 2006, honors and memorializes Nancy, whose commitment to community and education was vital to Lawrence, and Frank Shontz, whose vision for community mental health sustains our educational commitment.

Upcoming Events | Check our website and Facebook page for more information

SEpTEmbErMental Health First Aid Classes (MHFA), 4-7 pm: 6, 13, 20, 27 LMH Health Fair, Sept. 24

OcTObErMHFA, 4-7 pm: 3, 10, 17, 24Mental Health Awareness Week, October 3-8 Nat’l Depression Screening Day, October 6Nash Dash and Bash, October 9World Mental Health Day, October 10

NOvEmbEr MHFA, 4-7 pm: 7, 14, 21, 28 Eudora Health Fair, November 5