A trio of leaders from Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center will be available Thursday to answer questions about the center and mental health.
Pat Roach Smith, chief operations officer; Eunice Ruttinger, director of Adult Services; and Janice Storey, director of Children and Family Services, will be participating in an online chat at 11 a.m. Thursday on WellCommons.com.
Bert Nash provides services for about 6,000 Douglas County residents each year.

job4mike6

I’ve been told that some modern psychotropic medications approved by the US FDA are not available for Healthwave patients in Kansas due to high cost. Is this true at Bert Nash? At Osawatomie State Hospital? Can you list such unavailable high-cost medications?

job4mike6

If the new health care law is fully implemented as now written, by 2014 how will access to mental health care improve? Are there enough new providers for all the new patients with access?

Moderator

I would like to welcome Pat Roach Smith, Eunice Ruttinger and Janice Storey, all leaders at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, to the News Center. I am health reporter Karrey Britt and I will be moderating this chat.
Let’s start with introductions and telling a little about what you do.

Bert Nash

Hi I”m Pat Roach, Chief Operations Officer. I am responsible for day-to-day operations of the center and oversight of clinical and support services.

Bert Nash

Hi I an Eunice Ruttinger, Director of Adult Services. I oversee the services to adults at Bert Nash.

Bert Nash

I am Janice Storey and I oversee Child and Family Services and our Access Center. Access is the first point of contact for everyone who comes for services.

Moderator

Let’s start by telling about the services that you provide and then, let’s dive into the readers’ questions.

Bert Nash

We are a comprehensive mental health services provider. We provide traditional outpatient service (individual, group, couples and family), medication services, and intensive services to those who have crisis issues in their lives. We serve, kids, adults and everyone in between. Last year we served over 6,000 people.

job4mike6

What should you do first if a family member or friend makes a serious statement about committing suicide today and apparently has the means to act? What authorities should be notified, if any?

Bert Nash

It is important to ask directly if you suspect your family is at risk. You must ask are you going to kill yourself. When the answer is yes, never leave a suicidal person alone. You can call the police if you do not think you can safely take the person to the hospital. Once you are at the hospital your family member will be assessed to determine whether a hospital stay is the best course of action. Bert Nash is available for crisis walk in assessments during business ours (M-F, 8:30 to 5)

jayhawks12

What are you doing, if anything, in the community to reverse the stigma of mental illness? What can the public do to help?

Bert Nash

Great question! We believe mental health is fundamental to health in general and have been providing Mental Health First Aid classes to the Douglas County Community. The course, similar to CPR in philosophy, teaches the student how to respond in a mental health emergency or during an evolving mental health situation. The course is 12 hours in length and you can learn more at www.bertnash.org In addition we do outreach education and provide talks on issues from holiday stress to depression. As a community, being aware of the stigma of mental illness and the efficacy of treatment is very important. Mental Health First Aid is a researched based approach to combating stigma and increases mental health literacy.

job4mike6

Other than Osawatomie State Hospital, what options exist for long-term inpatient treatment of Kansas citizens with complex and multiple psychiatric symptoms (not involving substance abuse) similar to the treatment formerly offered by Menninger Clinic of Topeka? Please discuss both Healthwave and private pay options.

Bert Nash

There are no long term options similar to what state hospitals and Menninger provided in the past. There certainly are occasions when people stay longer than the typical 14 day stay, based on their need. Community mental health centers have been able to develop wrap around services to support many individuals to live independently in the community. Regarding Healthwave and private pay, flexibility exists regarding both in patient and out patient care.

bearded_gnome

Why have community leaders given up on having a mental health ward at LMH?
yes, I understand the issue of staffing. however, I see many places where our community is spending money on far less important things, which do not save lives and prevent suicide, i.e. 2% for art!
isn’t this somethin we actually could do if we did put enough resources into it? isn’t this something our community hospital really should be doing? of course care for alzheimers patients could be perhaps combined with the mental health functions to increase patient population.

Bert Nash

Ideally all communities should have a variety of mental health treatment options. However, resources and funding sources limit what is available. We partner with LMH to provide services to anyone with mental health issues.

job4mike6

What document spells out limits on behavioral health benefits for Kansas citizens on Medicaid (Healthwave?)

Bert Nash

Kansas Health Solutions is the resource for outpatient behavioral health for Medicaid consumers. Their website provides information on services available, providers, and rules that guide the provision of services. Check them out at www.kansashealthsolutions.org

job4mike6

During an intake interview, what are the clinical indications that a patient must be involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric care facility due to safety of self or others?

Bert Nash

We would do a screen for hospitalization if someone presented with suicidal indicators (safety to self or others). A person may meet criteria for hospitalization without meeting criteria for involuntary commitment. There are specific laws that guide the ability to take their civil rights and commit them to a hospital. The bottom line the individual must be imminent risk to self or others.

Oak

When someone is being openly bullied because they have a mental health problem, how should they respond? How should those around them who are dismayed by this respond? I am speaking specifically of a situation on the bus. Thank you.

Bert Nash

We assume you are referring to a school child. The immediate response is to support the child who feels they have been bullied by listening and reassuring. The parent should contact the school and discuss what interventions they recommend. Referring the child to speak to a school counselor or a mental health professional is also very appropriate.

job4mike6

Please explain dialectical based therapy (DBT) and how DBT differs from other forms of psychotherapy.

Bert Nash

DBT is an evidenced based practice that was developed by Dr. Marsha Linean. This approach is a psychoeducational approach to teaching clients how to manage their emotions more effectively. There are very specific protocols that are covered in the practice of DBT which includes individual therapy and group therapy. The focus is on learning skills and applying these skills to the challenges of life. Traditional therapy can be a variety of interventions which are not as intensive as DBT.

job4mike6

Thanks very much for the referral to Kansas Health Solutions web site–the member booklet is filled with good information about mental and behavioral health benefits! The info in this booklet will save us time and drama seeking care for our family members’ needs.

Lynn81

Will Bert Nash conduct an educational presentation for members of the public. For instance, if I want to request my child’s teachers be educated about mental illness, is there someone at Bert Nash I can contact for that?

Bert Nash

We work very closely with local school districts. We suggest you bring this to the attention of your school’s administration.

jestevens

Do you think that everyone, at some point in their life, has a mental illness? Does situational depression count as a mental illness — having difficulty getting over the death of a parent, friend or pet?

Bert Nash

One in four Americans will suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder in any given year. Lifetime risk is over 45%. If the situational depression impedes your ability to have meaningful relationships, work, enjoy things that have always been enjoyable, for a period of longer two weeks, certainly reach out to others and seek support from a mental health professional.

job4mike6

I have an in-law apparently afflicted with narcissistic personality disorder. This person refuses to seek treatment. Other than avoid this individual, what can be done to prevent this person from harming me or other family members?

In-laws symptoms include:
No concern for feelings of others
Expecting others to go along with silly ideas and unfeasible plans
Taking financial advantage of others (including disabled relatives)
Trouble in all family relationships (only has internet on-line friends)
Low self-esteem

Bert Nash

Setting appropriate boundaries is important as well as continuing to encourage professional treatment. The first question would be have you talked with the person about how their behavior has impacted the family? Has anyone offered to go with the person to get help? If these have occurred and situation continues, consider having a meeting with your family determine what the guidelines are for interacting with this person and how you will support each other.

Lynn81

An education to teachers was just an example. There are many other groups in the public that need mental illness education in order to fight the stigma associated. Does Bert Nash consider requests from the public to do those presentations? My question assumes that the public group is in agreement. Thanks.

Bert Nash

Yes! We make presentations to the community often and design those presentations for each request. Please contact our development director, Cindy Hart at 785 830 1701

Moderator

I want to thank the readers for their questions, and the Bert Nash crew for coming in to answer them. I look forward to doing this again in the near future.

Bert Nash

Thanks for having us over and visit our website, www.bertnash.org