Panhandle Public Health District

09/08/2026

Fight the bite....Just because summer is 'over' doesn't mean the risk of West Nile Virus is gone.

09/08/2026

Bridges to Mental Health: Workforce Expansion Project

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
Institute 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 14 sessions so far, reaching nearly 750
healthcare practitioners from across Nebraska and Western
Iowa. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,
underscoring the demand for expanded training.

To register, scan the QR code or register at
https://lms.bridgesne.org/

Times:
Both days: 9 AM–4 PM

Cost:
Free—thanks to generous support from the Hawks Foundation and
Clarkson Institute

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

You do not have to drink to fit in. Real friends respect your choices and want you to feel comfortable being yourself.

09/07/2026

⚽Don't let your guard down, protect yourself and loved ones ⚽

09/07/2026

Don't RUSH your flu vaccine and run the risk of decreased protection when you need it MOST

09/07/2026

Thriving communities start here!

Simple steps for safer homes, healthier environments, and aging well close to home - right here in our communities.

Learn how Panhandle Public Health District can partner with Broadwater on lead reduction, West Nile prevention, and senior health and wellness.

September 8th, 2026
Broadwater - Messiah Lutheran Church
Lunch at 11:30 am
Presentation at 12:00 pm

09/07/2026

The International Day of Clean Air, observed every September 7, highlights the urgent need to reduce air pollution and its devastating effects on human health and the planet. With an estimated seven million deaths annually linked to unclean air, this day calls for collective action. Learn about air quality, support advocacy groups, and adopt sustainable practices to protect our shared atmosphere.

09/07/2026

El Día Internacional del Aire Limpio, que se celebra cada 7 de septiembre, destaca la necesidad urgente de reducir la contaminación del aire y sus efectos devastadores en la salud humana y el planeta. Con un estimado de siete millones de muertes anuales relacionadas con el aire sucio, este día llama a la acción colectiva. Infórmate sobre la calidad del aire, apoya a grupos de defensa, y adopta prácticas sostenibles para proteger nuestra atmósfera compartida.