LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Health show that more than 376,000 Nebraskans have a mental illness, but more than a million live in communities without enough trained professionals to help.

Bridges to Mental Health is a workforce training program believed to be the first of its kind that helps non-mental health professionals bridge that gap in care. They came to the April Sampson Cancer Center in Lincoln this week to share what they know.

It’s difficult to recruit professionals into psychiatry, with long hours, education barriers and training requirements.

Statistics from UNMC show the state’s psychiatry workforce grew 8% from 2020 to 2024, but both rural and urban areas are still underserved.

And nationally, the average wait time for menta

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