NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – One month after wildfires erupted across Nebraska and burned hundreds of thousands of acres, the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska is joining Nebraska Extension’s disaster response to help communities address the mental health toll.
The fires included the Morrill Fire — described as the largest in state history — along with three other major fires that together burned more than 700,000 acres.
Nebraska Extension has formed a wildfire task force to coordinate recovery needs across the region, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, known as BHECN, is now part of the team focused on behavioral health support.
BHECN was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2009 and is housed at UNMC. The center is charged with leading statewide behavioral health workforce development, including recruiting, training and retaining behavioral health workers, according to a UNMC press release.
UNMC said BHECN has six regional sites across Nebraska, with site co-directors working in their local communities as part of response efforts. UNMC also said BHECN leadership is serving on Nebraska Extension’s Wildfire Task Force.
Mental health needs can change over time
BHECN Director Dr. Marley Doyle said people often experience phases after a natural disaster, though not everyone responds the same way.
“The first phase is the crisis phase — when you’re in action mode,” Doyle said. “Then comes the rallying phase, when communities come together. … That lasts usually a few months, but after that, support isn’t as strong or they might go away. That’s when the grief and realization of what happened can set in.”
Doyle encouraged people who were not directly impacted by the fires to keep checking on friends and neighbors over time — not just once.
“When you’re in survival mode, you might not think you need any immediate help, but that can change pretty quickly,” Doyle said. “Check in with people. Don’t just do it once. If they say they’re fine, don’t think you checked off that box. It requires frequent checking in over the course of time.”
BHECN leaders said recovery needs will evolve, and they plan to stay involved long term.
“We understand this is a long-term thing, and we know this isn’t a one-time fixed solution,” Doyle said. “We’re dedicated to following the needs of the communities and responding accordingly. We’re here to help and be a resource. We’re in it for the long term, and we have great partners we’re working with.”
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