Meet Claudia Robertson, a graduate student pursuing her doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) at Eastern Kentucky University while working with BH WELL as a project assistant since January 2019. Claudia graduated the University of Kentucky with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in May 2021. She graduates in May 2023 with an additional BS in Occupational Science. She plans on completing her OTD in August 2025.
Congratulations to Zakery Sloan, DSW, MSW, BSW, for graduating from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Social Work (COSW) with his Doctorate of Social Work. Dr. Sloan completed his capstone project on “Neuroleadership: A New Burnout Prevention Strategy.” His work examines the current state of burnout, prevention strategies, and prevalence. It also considers how leadership theories can be used in innovative ways to prevent burnout among the public human service population.
RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) has launched their 3rd annual “Be Kind to Your Mind” Youth Mental Health Art Contest. This contest began as an avenue to promote youth mental health awareness in the wake of COVID. Students are encouraged to create any piece of art that shows what it means to them to be kind to your mind. This could be a sketch, poem, painting, or anything else a student wants to create. Contestants may submit artwork on or before April 21, 2023 for 4 divisions: grades K-4, grades 5-8, grades 9-12, and college (ages 18-24).
Northern Kentucky Health Department (NKY Health) has seen great success in their mission to “prevent disease, promote wellness and protect against health threats.” This includes their work to address tobacco treatment and tobacco free policy efforts within the behavioral health organizations in their community.
National Youth Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder each February that caring for a young person’s mental health is of the utmost importance. Youth mental health is essential to healthy development.
QPR is an emergency mental health intervention created in 1995, by Dr. Paul Quinnett, Clinical Psychologist. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide; the intent is also to identify and interrupt the crisis and direct that person to the proper care and resources.
The mission of QPR is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative,
practical, and proven suicide prevention gatekeeper training that can be completed in
Want to quit smoking? You are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70% of people who currently smoke want to stop. You may be considering 2023 as the year you stop smoking. January is “Take a New Year's Resolution to Stop Smoking” month (TANYRSS) which makes it a great time to stop.
The University of Kentucky’s Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) has announced the inaugural winners of two behavioral health tobacco treatment awards. The awards were presented on November 9, 2022, at BH WELL’s workshop, Recovery in Mental and Behavioral Health: Tackling the Hidden Epidemic of Tobacco Use.
Franklin County Health Department’s (FCHD) mission to “Prevent, Promote, and Protect” supports better health outcomes for their community. Specifically, their success in strengthening tobacco policy in the state of Kentucky places them in the spotlight. FCHD is partnering with the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team to support behavioral health organizations in advancing tobacco-free policy and tobacco dependence treatment services for individuals living with mental illness on their journey to stop tobacco use.
BH WELL’s Executive Director, Chizimuzo Okoli Ph.D., MPH, MSN, PMHNP-BC, APRN, NCTTP, FAAN was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. He received this honor at Sigma’s 33rd International Nursing Research Congress in July 2022 along with 32 nurse researchers from across the globe.
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing’s Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) partnered with Eastern State Hospital (ESH) for Socktober.
Sigma's 33rd International Nursing Research Congress was held July 21-25, 2022 in Edenburg, Scotland. This conference brings together nurse leaders, researchers, clinicians, and students from around the world who are focused on evidence-based research and practice. Sarret Seng, a University of Kentucky College of Nursing (UK CON) PhD student presented her research: Factors associated with Psychological Distress experienced by Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This research was co-authored by Dr.
Bassema Abu-Farsakh is a University of Kentucky College of Nursing (UK CON) PhD student and a graduate research assistant with the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team.
Being pregnant and having a new baby comes with lots of emotions! It is normal to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, or sad during this time. However, if these feelings continue for more than a couple of weeks, it might be perinatal depression or anxiety. When this happens, a new mom might experience challenges in carrying out daily tasks such as caring for their new baby or themselves. Perinatal depression or anxiety is common AND treatable. There is hope! And help is a quick phone call away!
Sarret Seng, a nursing PhD student in the University of Kentucky College of Nursing (UK CON) and graduate research assistant for the UK CON Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team, has been named a Predoctoral Fellow with the University of Kentucky’s UNited In True racial Equity (UNITE) Research Priority Area.
Congratulations to Allie Roberts, Behavioral Health Wellness practicum research student, for graduating with a Bachelor’s in Community and Leadership Development in May of 2022.
Heather Robertson, MPA, is Director of Executive Operations for the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team. She also holds a joint appointment with UK HealthCare management at Eastern State Hospital where she is Director of Work Learning. She oversees program growth and development, budgets, contracts, and staffing.
Sarret Seng, a psychiatric-mental health nurse and University of Kentucky College of Nursing PhD student, is being honored with the APNA Award for Excellence in Practice – RN for her work to positively impact patient care in the work setting. Seng is a practicing psychiatric-mental health nurse, a University of Kentucky College of Nursing PhD student, and a Graduate Research Assistant for the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) program.
Heather Robertson, Director of Executive Operations for the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL), has been awarded the 2021-2022 Excellence in Engagement for a Research-Based Team Member award from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing (CON). This is awarded for demonstrated exceptional contributions as an outstanding team member to promote the mission of the research-based team and advancing engagement within the College of Nursing.
Dr. Amanda Lykins currently serves as the Staff Development Specialist (SDS) for Behavioral Health at UK HealthCare (UKHC) with responsibilities at UK Chandler Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and Eastern State Hospital (ESH).
