By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Empowering.
University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Olivia Longmore uses that one word to describe the past three years.
“My time at UNK has not been like anybody else’s. Quite honestly, freshman year was a terrible year for me health-wise, but the people on campus were so helpful and accommodating,” she said. “They were like, ‘You may have this limitation, but we will help you in any way that we can.’ And that was so empowering.
“While I was struggling and still trying to figure everything out, everyone at UNK helped me pick myself up and offered me opportunities to succeed. They never viewed me differently than the other students.”
A Gering native, Longmore has faced health-related obstacles throughout her life. She has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a blood circulation disorder that causes dizziness, fatigue and fainting, along with a related condition that leads to seizures.
Although she often uses a cane, walker or wheelchair to get around, Longmore has never been interested in slowing down.
She was involved in numerous activities during high school, including band, color guard, show choir, musicals, speech, mock trial, National Honor Society, Key Club, German Club and Girl Scouts, while also serving as senior class president and maintaining a nearly perfect GPA. Longmore even studied abroad as a foreign exchange student in Germany during her junior year.
The Gering High School graduate enrolled at UNK in fall 2021 as an Honors Program scholar. However, her health declined significantly during that first year on campus, and she thought it might end her education.
“There were so many barriers, but UNK Disability Services for Students helped me so much,” Longmore said.
Part of the Academic Success Offices, UNK Disability Services works with students, staff and faculty to ensure all Lopers can fully participate in the educational experience. This includes both academic and physical accommodations, such as wheelchair-accessible buildings and rooms, adaptive equipment, preferred seating in classrooms, extended time for assignments and exams and other support.
Longmore also receives assistance from Sky, a service dog she trained herself. They’ve been together for a year.
HELPING OTHERS
A double major in social work and psychology, Longmore plans to pursue a career that allows her to make a positive impact in people’s lives and help them overcome the same kinds of challenges she’s faced.
“In my hometown, there are a lot of mental health and behavioral health problems. A lot of substance use disorders. And I was around that quite a bit,” said Longmore, whose foster brother died by suicide when she was 14. “That’s kind of when I really got interested in helping people with mental health issues.”
There’s a “huge need” for mental and behavioral health providers in Nebraska, she noted, and the statistics support that statement. Nearly 1 in 5 Nebraskans have a mental illness, yet access to behavioral health resources remains extremely limited in many parts of the state. All but five of the state’s 93 counties are designated as mental health professions shortage areas and 29 counties don’t have any behavioral health providers.
The suicide rate for farmers is among the highest for any occupational group in the U.S. Financial stress, limited access to mental health services and a reluctance to seek help are all factors in that figure.
“In a rural community, everyone kind of thinks that you need to keep your mental health issues to yourself,” Longmore said. “There’s still a stigma attached. And even if you try to get into a therapy service, most of them have a lengthy waitlist.”
Despite the physical limitations, Longmore views her disability as a strength, something that will help her connect with patients down the road.
“It opened such a weird, new door for me,” she said. “If I didn’t have my disability, I would probably go into a different type of social work. But with my disability, I’m kind of thinking, wow, I can really use this to help people. I can use this to help people come to terms with their own disability and kind of accept who they are and where they are.”
BRIGHT FUTURE
Nadine Stuehm, a senior lecturer in the UNK Department of Social Work, describes Longmore as a problem-solver who’s always upbeat and positive, even during difficult situations.
“She’s inspired me with her tenacity and positive attitude, as she had to overcome additional obstacles to continue her education, along with the many other things students maneuver when attending college,” Stuehm said. “I’m proud of her accomplishments and believe she has a great future ahead. She will bring empathy and an understanding of how health problems can impact all aspects of an individual’s life to the mental health profession.”
Krista Fritson, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor in the UNK Department of Psychology, calls Longmore a compassionate, caring individual who serves as a great role model for all students, especially those with barriers to conquer.
“Olivia has already demonstrated her dedication to professional growth and promoting the success of others through her service and campus engagements,” Fritson said. “Her intelligence and academic skills, combined with her work ethic, motivation and servant’s heart, give every indication that she will be a significant asset to the mental health field now and in the future.”
As director of the UNK location of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN), Fritson oversees a new pilot program launched last summer to continue growing the state’s mental and behavioral health workforce. The Behavioral Health Opportunities Program (BHOP) enhances this professional pipeline by recruiting and training students interested in behavioral health careers in Nebraska. Longmore is one of six UNK students selected for the inaugural cohort.
“BHOP is a really cool program because I’ve gotten to learn about a lot of career opportunities,” Longmore said. “The social work program has introduced me to a lot of different agencies and BHOP is all about the psychology and mental health world, so I feel like I really understand both sides of the profession.”
BHOP scholars receive BHECN-funded financial assistance – covering 100% of tuition and most student fees during the final year of their undergraduate program and 25% of tuition during their first three years in the clinical mental health counseling master’s program – and they’re eligible for additional funding to support conference travel and other professional development activities. They also participate in monthly activities that allow them to build relationships and professional skills and receive one-on-one mentorship from licensed behavioral health professionals currently working in the field. There are opportunities for job shadowing and internships, as well.
Longmore is currently interning with Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation in Kearney, a state program that helps people with physical, emotional or mental disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.
“I love it,” she said of the opportunity. “I think it’s so beneficial. I’m able to find out what I’m really good at and what I need help with, and it doesn’t feel so scary because you have somebody there to support you. I’m really glad my internship is here.”
A former peer health educator on campus, Longmore graduates from UNK in May, then she’ll start the clinical mental health counseling master’s program this fall. She plans to begin her career in Nebraska.
“I want to help people with their everyday difficulties, the ones that other people might not see or recognize, the struggles behind closed doors,” Longmore said. “I want to empower individuals and make sure that they feel seen and heard.”
