With each mile, bike ride to raise funds for kids' mental health
Omaha World-HeraldAug 03, 2017
Gov.
The ride was the kickoff event for Break the Cycle, during which supporters will bike 5,000 miles from
Dr.
"Child mental health issues are real, and they're very common," Martin said during a Saturday press conference. "These are not rare conditions. The good part is that they're very treatable and preventable."
One in five children is diagnosed with a mental or behavioral disorder, he said. When conditions aren't treated, children are affected at home and in school, and they also face life-threatening consequences such as eating disorders and suicide.
Lack of access to care for children in more rural states including
In 2015 there were only 42 practicing child and adolescent psychiatrists in the state, spread across seven counties, according to the
Doctors are experimenting with telehealth initiatives to deliver virtual treatment to underserved areas, said Dr.
"If a child is suffering from depression, it's really no different from if they broke their arm or had chicken pox," Ricketts said. "It's just another aspect of their health care."