Students learn about mental health careers at FARM Camp

The FARM Camp and Mentorship Program was created in 2012 by Western Nebraska Behavioral Health (WNBH) Clinic staff, with support from the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, to address the underserved nature of rural areas by using a grow our own approach, according to Dr. Catherine Jones-Hazledine.

“We hope to identify young people in our rural communities who have an interest in, or affinity for these fields, and provide them with information and mentoring to pursue these much-needed careers,” she said. “We have done presentations in many local high schools and also spread the word through conferences and webinars.”

Student applications were reviewed by Jones-Hazledine and Dr. Tara Wilson, CSC associate professor, who then invited selected applicants.

A team of behavioral health professionals affiliated with WNBH clinics made core presentations including Jones-Hazledine, Wilson, Shanna Rosentrater, Lauren Coffey, Michael Steube, Julie Hamburger, and Elissa Rosebraugh. 

Students earn one credit hour by completing the camp including study of the history of behavioral health, psychological theories, basic brain anatomy, cultural considerations, and clinical skills.

Annually, guest speakers include community-based licensed mental health providers, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors, grief counselors, social workers, and counselor educators. This year's guest speakers were Mandi Price, Dr. Nathan Favaloro, Loni Watson, Jeanice Caporaso, Victor Gehrig, Dr. Russ Seger, Robin Bila, Rebecca Fernau, Ana Young, and Jen Taylor.

“They talk to the students about what their work involves, necessary training, what they like and don't like about their work, and more,” Jones-Hazledine said.

Another aspect of FARM Camp is a mock-interview exercise where local drama students portray clients seeking care.

“Our participants role play interviewing clients to get a sense of clinical interactions, and then we all debrief on this experience together. Their final project is to work with a partner to create a social media post or video about a mental health topic,” Jones-Hazledine said.

FARM leaders encourage camp alumni to take on a leadership or mentorship role and return to make presentations to the campers. This year, three alumni made presentations. Justin Frandsen, a graduate student at Texas A&M, presented about research psychology, Aliyah American Horse of Gordon, Nebraska, presented about mental health and poetry, and CSC student Summer Mayhew of Valentine, Nebraska, presented about mental health in the justice system.