“Nebraska Connects: Mental Health Reform” provides an overview of the history of mental health care in Nebraska, including the struggles and successes of rural communities in meeting mental health needs at the local level, as mandated by LB 1083, passed in 2004. Dozens of Nebraskans were interviewed for the series including mental health consumers, mental health care providers and advocates, elected officials, law enforcement, Health and Human Services Administrators, Native American leaders and Hispanic leaders. Communities represented in the series include Omaha, Hastings, Lincoln, Grand Island, Scottsbluff, Red Cloud, Shelton, Inavale, Macy, Winnebago, Murray, Pender, Salem, Nickerson and Kearney.

The series is complemented by an outreach tool kit designed by the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center. This comprehensive tool kit offers a wide variety of resources for community and faith-based organizations interested in providing services in the areas of mental health, substance abuse and addiction.

Stories:
(audio links for each story will be provided as they are completed)

Audio files for these stories are provided in both .mp3 and Real format. MP3 files can be played using most multimedia applications, such as QuickTime, Windows Media or other audio programs. Real Audio files can be played using the Real Player. This can be downloaded for free from http://www.real.com.

Thursday, March 2 -- History and Reform

Mental Illness. It’s a term that often makes people uncomfortable and until recently was a disease shrouded in secrecy, stigma and stereotype. The state’s Health and Human services department is changing the mental health care system. The goal is to more effectively serve Nebraska’s estimated 68-thousand adults with serious mental health problems. This month NET Radio airs a multi-part series, Nebraska Connects: Mental Health Reform on the successes and struggles of rural Nebraska in meeting the needs of people with mental illness.

Friday, March 3 -- Community-Based Care

Rural Nebraskans are as likely as their urban counterparts to experience a mental illness, but are less likely to seek treatment, according to the 2003 Rural Healthy People Report. Stigma, distance, access to services, and the system’s inherent complexities are just some of the key issues facing small communities.

Thursday, March 9 -- Severe Mental Illness in Rural Nebraska

Over 62 thousand adult Nebraskans have a mental illness and over half of those people have a severe or chronic mental illness, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. People often experience the revolving door of care. This pattern of treatment is punctuated by long stays in a residential facility, improvement, release and then relapses. Our series, Nebraska Connects: Mental Health Reform continues with a visit to a residential treatment facility in a rural Nebraska setting. Nancy Finken reports.

Friday, March 10 -- Farm Crisis Hotline

Farmers and ranchers are at an increased risk for substance abuse, mental illness and depression according to the National Safety Council. Some aspects of farming like severe weather, long hours, financial hardships and isolation can contribute to poor mental health. The behavioral health risks in agriculture may be the least understood aspect of farming’s occupational health-related hazards. Nancy Finken continues our series, Nebraska Connects: Mental Health Reform.

Thursday, March 16 -- Peer to Peer

Sharing your experience with others is vital when facing the challenges of mental illness. In Nebraska, peer-to-peer services, such as support and advocacy groups are being accepted as effective components in the treatment of mental illness. Continuing our series Nebraska Connects: Mental Health Reform, Nancy Finken reports.

Friday, March 17 -- YES Kids

After a childhood filled with the challenges of mental illness, a Grand Island area teen was inspired to bring more mental health services to his community. At age 13, a determined Brandon Fletcher created an innovative program designed to support other kids who struggle with mental illness. Now 20, Brandon and his family talk about their experiences as part of our series on rural mental health reform. Nancy Finken reports.

Thursday, March 23 -- Mental Illness on the Reservation

For centuries, Native American cultures have long understood the intense connection between body, soul and MIND. As Nebraska continues to implement Behavioral Health Reform or LB 1083; NET Radio visited the Omaha and Winnebago reservations where most of the residents’ mental health needs are provided in the community. Nancy Finken reports.

Friday, March 24 -- Native American Cultural Preservation

Cultural identity is the foundation on which most Native American tribes are built. As we continue our series on rural mental health, we again visit the Omaha and Winnebago reservations to examine how the loss of culture can affect mental health. Nancy Finken reports.

Thursday, March 30 -- Meeting the Needs of Hispanics

Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in Nebraska and now account for nearly 7 percent of the state’s population. Of the 118-thousand Hispanics in Nebraska, 97 percent live outside the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas. Are the mental health needs of its fastest growing group being adequately addressed in rural Nebraska? Nancy Finken explores that question as our series on rural mental health reform continues.

Friday, March 31 -- Natural Helpers

Our series on mental health reform continues. Today Nancy Finken explores the role of faith-based groups and the delivery of mental health services.

Thursday, April 6 -- Innovation

This week NET Radio wraps up our series on rural mental health reform. Among the things we’ve learned through this series is the fact that there are not enough mental health practitioners in Nebraska. But there are some innovative programs across the state. Some are a result of the state’s reform efforts and some can simply be chalked up to Nebraska’s pioneering spirit. Nancy Finken reports.

Friday, April 7 -- The Future of Mental Health Reform

Change is never easy. That’s true when it comes to reforming Nebraska’s mental health care system. But change is taking place. Today Nancy Finken concludes our series on rural mental health reform with a look back and a look ahead.