Mental illness directly affects 1 in 5 Nebraskans and Iowans. Against this backdrop, there is a substantial shortage of mental health providers in our region, particularly within our rural communities. As such, primary care and non-psychiatric specialists provide the majority of medical therapy for psychiatric issues.

However, providers oftentimes don’t have the training, confidence, and/or resources to adequately identify, diagnose, and/or treat these issues. Add to that—little time: Patients in Omaha alone have seen wait times extend to 8–12 weeks to be seen by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Dr. John Mitchell and Dr. Bill Lydiatt, with generous ongoing support from the Hawks Foundation and others, began a project to expand the mental health workforce in Nebraska through a program called Bridges to Mental Health. Clarkson Regional Health Services has formalized and amplified this pioneering initiative.

The Bridges to Mental Health Workforce Expansion Project trains primary care, specialty physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and mental health workers to:

• Improve diagnostic and therapeutic skills
• Strengthen confidence to expand care
• Heighten awareness of common psychiatric disorders

Believed to be the first of its kind nationally, this workforce training helps mitigate the access crisis by initiating early mental health treatment in areas where patients and the public already come for care.

There have been 12 sessions so far, reaching more than 700 healthcare practitioners from across Nebraska and Western Iowa. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the demand for expanded training.

We are very excited to announce the next two-day session to increase the skills of both primary care and specialists in diagnosing and treating patients with common mental illnesses. The sessions will be held Monday, April 13th and Tuesday 14th from 8 am to 4:50 pm in Norfolk, NE.

Dr. David Rubin from Massachusetts General Hospital will lead the course along with two colleagues, Dr. Robert Althoff, and Dr. Mona Potter.

13.0 hours of CME through the MGH Institute of Health Professions will be available.

Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Psychologists

Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 13.0 credits.

Physicians

MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.

Physician Associates/Assistants

MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 13.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Nursing

MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 13.0 contact hours for nurses. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.

Social Workers

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 13.0 clock hours for continuing education credits.

IPCE Credit

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 13.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.