(Lincoln, Neb.) – At the start of Mental Illness Awareness Week, established by Congress in 1990 to raise awareness and support for mental health care, the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) is highlighting the growing investments made by hospitals across the state to expand behavioral health access, bolster workforce capacity, and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.

In Nebraska, more than 486,000 residents live with a mental health or substance use disorder and one in four adults experience mental illness, above the national average. Nebraska hospitals are allocating time and resources to enhance behavioral health services across the state including telehealth expansion, community initiatives, programs, and partnerships. 

"Hospitals across Nebraska are stepping up to meet the demand for mental health care in our communities," said Jeremy Nordquist, President and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association. "During Mental Illness Awareness Week, we celebrate these wins while recognizing there’s more work to be done to make sure whole body health care is accessible to every Nebraskan."

As home to the largest behavioral health service outside of Omaha in terms of providers and services, Great Plains Health in North Platte is eliminating obstacles to care by offering same-day access for new patients, online scheduling, and open doors for all existing patients. Specialists also collaborate closely with local schools, probation offices, and local county jails to deliver comprehensive mental health support across the region.

Methodist Fremont Health continues to make significant improvements to its behavioral health offerings to address growing community needs. The hospital maintains a robust inpatient program serving patients statewide alongside expanded outpatient services. Teams also prioritize community advocacy and education to build trust, foster understanding, and reduce the stigma of seeking mental health care. 

Demonstrating its commitment to youth health, Children’s Nebraska opened the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center this year. The center delivers a world-class model of comprehensive behavioral and mental health care with inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization services co-located with medical health needs.

To address the growing need for specialized care, Boys Town National Research Hospital has recruited additional child and adolescent psychiatrists and providers. The hospital has expanded telepsychiatry services, bringing critical support to rural and underserved communities, including Critical Access Hospitals statewide. This expansion now encompasses locations such as Albion, Alliance, Lexington, McCook, Sidney, Tecumseh, Valentine, Wahoo, and Wayne.

"Whether through new regional facilities, community partnerships, or telepsychiatry networks, Nebraska hospitals are leading the way," Nordquist said. "We will continue to support these incredibly important health care services."

About Us

The Nebraska Hospital Association is the trusted and influential voice for Nebraska’s hospitals and health systems. The NHA has a statewide membership of 92 member hospitals and over 50,000 employees. Through collaborative leadership, our members rely on the NHA for advocacy, data, education, and more to advance Nebraska hospitals’ ability to provide exceptional, quality care to Nebraska’s patients and communities. The NHA has been a vital part of our member hospitals’ missions since our founding in 1927. 

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