Three national experts with advanced skills in diagnosing and treating children’s behavioral health problems will conduct a free, three-day workshop Oct. 5-7 in Omaha. The workshop, targeted towards family physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other front line providers, will advance the delivery of pediatric behavioral health care services.
Registrations are being accepted for the workshop, which will be held at the Marriott Regency, 10220 Regency Circle.
The training, funded by the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN), is sponsored in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Resource for Advancing Children’s Health (REACH) Institute of New York.
Guest speakers will include: Peter Jensen, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic and president and CEO of the REACH Institute; Suzanne Reiss, M.D., child and adolescent psychiatrist and pediatrician; and Lynn Crimson, Pharm.D., dean of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy.
They will provide expertise in assessing and treating depression and other behavioral health problems in children and adolescents. The training also will include six months of periodic clinical case phone conferences.
“Whether we are talking to teenagers about suicidal thoughts or helping elementary school kids with anxiety, mental health is a major issue for families across Nebraska,” said Howard Liu, M.D., medical director of BHECN. “Despite the high demand for these services, many primary care providers don't feel comfortable treating things like pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and bipolar disorder.”
BHECN was established in 2009 by LB 603 to support the recruitment, retention and increased education and training of the behavioral health workforce in Nebraska as well as provide statewide access to behavioral health providers.
For more information about BHECN, go to: www.unmc.edu/BHECN.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.