The University of Nebraska Medical Center and co-sponsors in 25 communities across Nebraska invite the public to participate in the UNMC Mini-Medical School, a free health education series titled, “Behavioral Health: Perception, Impact, Reality: The Promise of 21st Century Research.” The series, which will be held on April 12, 19 and 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (central time), will provide insight into mental health issues, and what UNMC is doing to reduce its burden through research and new treatments.
Topics of the series include adult and child issues in depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), addictions, and issues of the aging mind.
The series will be broadcast live from the UNMC Durham Research Center Auditorium in Omaha via satellite to: Atkinson, Broken Bow, Chadron, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, Harrison, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lincoln, Lynch, Neligh, Norfolk, North Platte, O’Neill, Osmond, Pender, Red Cloud, Rushville, Scottsbluff, Sidney, Wayne and West Point. It also will be available in Omaha at Clarkson West Medical Center, 2727 S. 144th St., Suite 200, and Metro Community College North Omaha Campus, 30th & Fort, Building 7.
Mental illness touches almost everyone at some stage of life, yet remains one of the most misunderstood afflictions in today’s society. Too often people think of mental illness as a “weakness,” but nothing could be further from the truth. These are true illnesses – brain diseases – that disrupt relationships, work, school and home life.
Steven Wengel, M.D., professor and chairman, UNMC Department of Psychiatry, said in one survey, 90 of 93 Nebraska counties were considered to be psychiatric shortage areas. “There are not enough psychiatrists to go around. There’s a shortage all away across the board.”
He said it is estimated one out of every four Nebraskans, just like one out of every four Americans, probably are affected by some sort of significant mental illness. “So virtually every family has been touched by it, but most people don’t really understand much about mental illness unless they really had personal experience with it or a family member,” he said.
Dr. Wengel said participants will learn about some of the new discoveries in diagnosing mental illness, as well as treatments, which have changed a lot in the last 10 years. Participants also will learn about basic science and clinical studies being conducted by UNMC researchers and physicians to achieve better understanding, treatment to reduce the burden of mental illness.
Anyone with the satellite downlink capability can tune into the series on Nebraska Satellite System 2, Channel 106.
April 12: “Your Child’s Mind … What’s going on in there?” will focus on children’s mental health disorders. Presenters will be: Dr. Wengel, whose talk is titled, “Development of the brain CEO.” Cindy Ellis, M.D., UNMC associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry, will give a talk titled, “Typical child and adolescent behavior: When a kid is just being a kid.” Christopher Kratochvil, M.D., UNMC associate professor of psychiatry, will give a talk titled, “Current issues in ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and pediatric depression.”
April 19: “‘Mind’ Fields: Navigating Adulthood,” will focus on adult mental health issues. James Sorrell, M.D., UNMC assistant professor of psychiatry and director of University Psychiatry Division, will talk about depression in his presentation titled, “Depression: The challenge of making life meaningful in contemporary society.” Todd Stull, M.D., UNMC assistant professor of psychiatry and medical director of the University Drug and Alcohol Program, will present on “Addiction medicine: General Concepts and Features. “ADHD and Adulthood: New Awareness and New Opportunities,” will be presented by Martin Wetzel, M.D., UNMC assistant professor of psychiatry.
April 26: “Aging with Peace of Mind” will address how aging can affect mental functions and how to spot the symptoms. Topics include: Where did I put my car keys? — Is it Alzheimer’s disease or normal aging?; and “I’m having trouble making decisions: A discussion about executive dysfunction,” by Carl Greiner, M.D., UNMC professor of psychiatry.
A panel discussion will be moderated by Prasad Padala, M.D., program director of the UNMC Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship and UNMC assistant professor of Psychiatry. Panelists will include: Joann Betts, medical social worker, UNMC Department of Psychiatry; Rosalee Yeaworth, Ph.D., dean emeritus and professor emeritus, UNMC College of Nursing; Carl Greiner, M.D., UNMC professor of psychiatry; and Dr. Wengel.
Seating for Mini-Medical School is limited. Registration is required. To get more information or to register, go to http://www.unmc.edu/minimed. While the program is free to the public, continuing education credits are available for $40 for nurses (6.0 contact hours), nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants (maxiumum 6 AMA Category 1 Credits).
Locations of free UNMC Mini-Medical School series and registration information:
Easy registration for all locations:
Online: www.unmc.edu/minimed
Email: minimed@unmc.edu
Omaha area – (402) 559-2900
Nebraska – toll-free 1- (877) 852-0013
Omaha – Durham Research Center at UNMC, Emile St. and Durham Research Plaza. Free parking in Lot 2, patient parking structure across from the Durham Research Center.
Sites for UNMC Mini-Medical School are listed below.
Atkinson
West Holt Memorial Hospital
406 W. Neely St.
Broken Bow
Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center
Telemedicine Rooms
145 Memorial Drive
Limited space available
Chadron
Chadron State College
April 12 location: Burkhiser Building, room 200
April 19 and 26 location: Student Center, Scottsbluff Room, 1000 Main St.
Columbus
Central Community College
North Education Center, Room 904, 4500 63 St.
Fremont
Fremont Area Medical Center
Dunklau Conference Room
450 E. 23rd St.
Grand Island
Central Nebraska AHEC at College Park
Room 305, 3180 W. Hwy 34
Harrison
Sioux County Courthouse
Meeting Room, 325 Main St.
Hastings
Central Community College
Platte Bldg/Room, #132, East Hwy 6
Holdrege
Central Community College – Holdrege Center
Phelps County Ag Center, 1308 2nd St.
Kearney
UNK
Distance Education, Communications Bldg.
CMCT 241, 1910 University Drive
Lincoln
Hosts: College of Dentistry & College of Nursing
College of Dentistry Dixon Lecture Hall, 40th & Holdrege St.
Lynch
Niobrara Valley Hospital
Telehealth Room, 401 S. 5th St.
Neligh
Antelope Memorial Hospital
Occupational Therapy Room, 102 W. 9th St.
Norfolk
Northeast Community College
Lifelong Learning Center, Suite C April 12 & 26, Suite E April 19, 801 E. Benjamin Ave.
North Platte
McKinley Education Center
301 W. F St., use south entrance
Omaha
Durham Research Center
Durham Research Plaza & Emile Street
Free parking in Lot 2, Patient Parking structure
Omaha
Clarkson West Medical Center
144th & West Center., Suite 200 (enter on building side facing Oakview Mall, 2nd floor)
Omaha
Metro Community College – North Omaha Campus
30th & Fort, Building 7
O’Neill
North Central District Health Dept.
Conference Room, 422 E. Douglas St.
Osmond
Osmond General Hospital
Telehealth Room, 402 N. Maple St.
Pender
Pender Community Hospital
Basement Meeting Room, 603 Earl St.
Red Cloud
Webster County Historical Museum
Exhibit Hall, 721 W 4 (West Hwy 136)
Rushville
UNL Extension in Sheridan County
105 Loofborrow
Scottsbluff
UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division
University Complex Panhandle Station Room 201, 4502 Avenue I
Scottsbluff
Regional West Medical Center
Monument Room, 4021 Avenue B
Sidney
Western Nebraska Community College
371 College Dr.
Wayne
Wayne State College
Connell Room 131, 1111 Main St.
West Point
St. Francis Memorial Hospital Telehealth Room
430 N. Monitor St.
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