Dolph Simons Jr.’s understanding of the seriousness of mental illness and passionate support for efforts to promote mental health earned him the Pioneer Award during a ceremony Monday night at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.

“Dolph believes any organization worthy of support must strive to excellence and leadership,” Jean Milstead, the past year’s chairwoman of the center’s governing board of directors, said of Simons, editor of the Journal-World and chairman of the World Company, which owns the newspaper. “He helped propel Bert Nash toward these goals.”

Nearly 100 people attended the awards ceremony, which also saw former governing board chairwoman Donna Swall named as recipient of the Lyn Smith Award for Distinguished Service. Swall served nine years on the center’s governing board and foundation board. She joined the boards after ending a 22-year career as a school social worker.

“Her generous and caring character has made Douglas County a healthier place to live,” Milstead said.

Other group and individual awards were given to Bert Nash staff and leaders.

Since 1986 the center has recognized mental health pioneers in Douglas County who helped advance the initiative of basing mental health services in the county. Milstead noted that Simons served as a trustee of the Menninger Foundation as well as many other boards. Under his leadership, the World Company has reported on and promoted Bert Nash activities.

Simons was out of town attending a major newspaper conference in San Francisco. Accepting the award in his absence was Ralph Gage, chief operating officer of the World Company.

Simons often has spoken about “removing the chain and stigma of mental illness” and knew the illness could be treated, Gage said. Simons also felt others were more deserving of the Bert Nash award, Gage said.

“That may be so, but if it is, then I’m sure he is all the more appreciative that you have singled him out for this recognition,” Gage said. “He commends you for your work and thanks you very deeply.”

Bert Nash staff spent 2004 struggling with how to provide services to those with mental illness, according to Milstead and David Johnson, Bert Nash chief executive officer. In their annual report, they said the center had worked with Lawrence Memorial Hospital and local law enforcement agencies in dealing with the problems of the mentally ill.

The report also noted that Congress appears poised to make cuts in Medicaid, the safety net for those with the most serious mental illnesses. This year Bert Nash will join other community mental health centers in Kansas in a marketing campaign aimed at reducing the stigma of mental illness and raising awareness of available services.

The mental health center also received a boost from its endowment trustees. At the end of 2004 the Endowment Trust Fund balance was more than $2.05 million.

Bert Nash was commended for its work by Ron Denney, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the night’s keynote speaker. He also expressed the importance of community mental health centers partnering with other local entities such as hospitals and churches.

6News video: Bert Nash presents Pioneer Award to Journal-World publisher

“The state of Kansas can’t deliver quality mental health services without you,” he said.