Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

03/24/2026

As we near the end of , we are continuing to recognize the incredible impact of our social work team. 💙

From responding in moments of crisis, to meeting individuals where they are through mobile response, to supporting students in schools through our WRAP program, to guiding healing and growth through DBT—our team shows up every day to make mental health care accessible, compassionate, and effective.

We’re so grateful for the dedication, expertise, and heart they bring to our community.

03/23/2026

For three years, the Treatment & Recovery Center of Douglas County has been there in life’s hardest moments offering hope, stability, and compassionate care when it matters most.

In that time, the TRC supported more than 9,000 crisis episodes and helped thousands of individuals take the first step toward healing. While 97% of clients return to the community, C-Cubed was developed to provide extra support for clients who need more care and resources.

Read more about this innovative program at the link in the comments.

03/23/2026

We couldn’t be more proud! 🎉 Our very own CEO, Dr. Kirsten Watkins, took the mound this past Friday to throw out the first pitch—officially kicking off Health Awareness Weekend in the best way possible. ⚾

A huge thank you to University of Kansas Softball for shining a spotlight on our mission and welcoming us into such an exciting game day atmosphere. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our work with such an incredible community! 💙

03/19/2026

We are proud to be part of this community. Congratulations to Kevin and all 97 graduates of the Douglas County Behavioral Health Court. 🎓 This work is a powerful reminder that when systems come together with compassion, lives change.

Thank you, Judge Sally Pokorny, for your leadership and impact.

The Douglas County Behavioral Health Court celebrated its 97th graduate today! 🎉🎓

Kevin was recognized for successfully completing the program, sharing his gratitude with the team: “They showed me there are people out there who truly care.”

Today also marked a meaningful milestone — the final graduation ceremony for Judge Sally Pokorny, who has presided over Behavioral Health Court since its launch in 2017. Judge Pokorny retires in April. She spoke fondly about each team member and thanked them for their dedication and service.

🔗 More info: https://www.dgcoks.gov/behavioral-health-court

03/19/2026

We’re proud to keep celebrating Social Work Month by highlighting the incredible individuals on our team who bring compassion, skill, and advocacy to everything they do.

A huge thank you to these dedicated professionals for the vital—often life-changing—support they provide every day. 💙

03/18/2026

Our Social Work Month spotlight continues with some more incredible team members who make a difference every single day serving across crisis services, outpatient therapy, WRAP, forensic services, and peer support.💙

Their compassion, expertise, and advocacy strengthen our community and support those who need it most.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting this amazing team. ✨

03/16/2026

We are so grateful to the attendees, panelists, and our amazing sponsor, Meritrust Credit Union for participating in our Nash Cares community education series discussion on Women's Mental Health.

You can watch the full discussion here: https://bit.ly/3Na2DB8

DCCCA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
University of Kansas Department of Psychology
Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Nash Cares Community Education Series: A Panel on Women's Mental Health

03/16/2026

We’re continuing the celebration of Social Work Month by spotlighting some of the incredible team members who make a difference every single day. 💙

Their compassion, expertise, and advocacy help strengthen our community and support those who need it most. We’re grateful for the dedicated professionals who provide essential — and often life-saving — services.

All month long, we’ll be highlighting team members whose work changes lives and reminds us why social work matters. Stay tuned as we continue to share their stories. ✨

03/16/2026

🏀It’s bracket season and here's a great way to discover some coping skills that work for you.🏀

Our CFS Program Manager, Bridget, put together a creative coping skills bracket to help young clients learn ways to manage feelings like irritability, sadness, and low motivation as we move from winter into spring.

Just like any bracket, it’s all about finding your favorites. It’s a great reminder for all of us that there are many coping skills out there. 💙

03/13/2026

What an incredible conversation we had last night at our Nash Cares Women’s Mental Health Panel. 💙

Together we explored the many dimensions of women’s mental health, including challenges surrounding pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause, and the ways race, class, and other intersections can shape access to care and support. The honesty, expertise, and openness in the room sparked an important dialogue about how we can raise awareness and drive meaningful change.

Missed the discussion? Don’t worry — we’ll be sharing the recording early next week, so be sure to keep an eye on our socials. 🎥

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible panelists:
• Kim Freese, DCCCA
• Brittany L. Dwyer, Melanated Maternal Therapy
• Lauren Alexander, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
• Kelsee Fout, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Sonia Jordan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
• Dr. Amber Watts, University of Kansas Department of Psychology

Your insight, passion, and vulnerability helped create such a powerful and needed conversation around women’s mental health.

And a special thank you to Meritrust Credit Union for generously sponsoring this event and helping make this important discussion possible. 🙏

03/12/2026

Last night we were excited to have our Director of Housing, Matthew Faulk, participate in a panel discussion on the social determinants of health hosted by the Phi Delta Epsilon fraternity! Thanks so much to Phi Delta Epsilon-Kansas Alpha for inviting us to take part! 💙💙💙

03/12/2026

Our Nash Cares Community Education Series: Women’s Mental Health is this evening and we’re excited to have our own Lauren Alexander, BNC Acute Care Team Program Manager, sharing her knowledge and passion on this important topic.

Event details:
🗓️ March 12
⏰ 5:30 - 6:45 pm
📍 200 Maine Street, Lawrence, KS, 2nd Floor Community Rooms
⬇️RSVP at the link in the comments.

Lauren Alexander is a Douglas County mom with passion and experience in community mental health and maternal health systems. She has worked in broad roles in both direct and indirect services to advance community health at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. She has completed advanced training in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International.

During her time at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Lauren provided subject matter expertise for statewide maternal health initiatives, including serving on the maternal mortality review committee, oversight of the Maternal Anti-Violence Innovation and Sharing Grant, and support of the Kansas Perinatal Psychiatric Access Line. She currently serves as Acute Care Program Manager at Bert Nash, where she supports critical behavioral health services for the community.

We’re incredibly grateful to Meritrust Credit Union for making this program possible.