Psychiatry Interest Group (PsIG) @ UNMC | BHECN | University of Nebraska Medical Center

PsIG members at work at the SHARING Clinic with Dr. Ashish Sharma: (left to right) Dave Marshall, Constance Mietus, Dr. Sharma and Joey Aloi

The UNMC Psychiatry Student Interest Group (PsIG) is an active, medical student-run organization which works to promote psychiatry and mental health through a variety of different educational activities, mentorship and outreach.

Activities

Education
The group hosts monthly lunch meetings with speakers on mental health topics. Past speakers have included researchers, clinical physicians, and patients discussing their experience with mental illness. The group also coordinates and sponsors the annual Mind Your Mind: Mental Health Awareness Week. Mind Your Mind is an interprofessional, weeklong event aimed at improving student mental health and includes education in stress reduction techniques, speakers, massages, and pet therapy.

Mentorship
PsIG goals also include fostering mentorship and exploring career opportunities. PsIG provides information on national and local scholarship, program, and conference opportunities. Because PsIG involvement has consistently included students from each year in training, veteran members are able to provide advice and guidance to younger members on topics ranging from study tips and fourth year electives to applying for residency. PsIG also hosts an annual Mental Health Mentorship Dinner attended by physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists and students.

Outreach
PsIG also works towards promoting mental health in the community. Recently, the group has increased community involvement by partnering with a local teen shelter to help collect diapers and clothing. In addition, PsIG helps to provide psychiatric care through collaboration with the student run SHARING Clinic. This not only improves patient access to care, but provides students a supplemental opportunity to practice psychiatric clinical care.

As you can see, PsIG is a motivated and involved interest group with opportunities for education, mentorship and service. Interest in getting involved? Contact: Emily Royer, President, at emily.royer@unmc.edu.