BHECN Panhandle sponsors Behavioral Health Careers Day

There is no cost to attend and lunch is provided to all who register by Wednesday, April 3. In addition to providing participants with a firsthand glimpse into the world of behavioral health, faculty from the psychological sciences, social work, and counselor education programs will discuss pathways for students to enter behavioral health careers.

Associate Professor and co-director of Panhandle Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) Dr. Tara Wilson said the event will provide a series of activities related to overall behavioral health, including a poverty simulation from 10 a.m. to noon, and an auditory hallucination simulation and wellness presentation from 1 to 2 p.m.

During the interactive poverty simulation, participants will assume identities of family members facing poverty. Tables with volunteer staff representing community resources and services will be available. The debriefing portion of the experience will involve participants discussing what they learned. Participants will be invited to share what they learned from the experience with family, friends, and contacts in the community.

Fernau said the poverty simulation will provide participants with insight and understanding into what it is like for individuals to navigate living paycheck to paycheck.

“The scenarios are realistic. These are things that families must deal with, particularly families living in the rural environment. This simulation sheds light on real challenges and helps correct some misconceptions,” Fernau said.

Wilson said the auditory hallucinations simulation will provide participants with the opportunity to complete a series of activities while hearing auditory voices. The experience is designed to increase empathy and understanding of those who experience auditory hallucinations. Most often hallucinations, auditory or otherwise, are associated with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, Wilson said.

Dr. Britt Helmbrecht, Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and Campus Wellness Officer, will conclude the day with a presentation about how students can take care of their mental health as well as the career field of behavioral health.

“I'll stress the importance of self-care for success as a student and how those lessons will translate into their professional career,” Helmbrecht said.