Report sees growth in Nebraska’s behavioral health workforce and its impact.
The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN), housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has released its 2026 Behavioral Health Workforce Capacity Report, highlighting measurable growth in Nebraska’s behavioral health workforce and its impact on access to care.
The report offers one of the clearest measures to date of how long-term investment in workforce development is impacting access to behavioral health services across the state, while also identifying areas where challenges remain.
“The Capacity Report gives us a way to quantify something we’ve long believed—that sustained investment in workforce development leads to real, measurable improvements in access to care,” said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN.
Key findings from the report:
Nebraska experienced a 49% increase in licensed behavioral health providers from 2010 to 2024, including a 24% increase in rural counties
An estimated 1.2 million additional behavioral health appointments were available to Nebraskans in 2024 compared to 2010
Growth in the psychiatric workforce resulted in an estimated 322,560 additional appointments with licensed psychiatric medical providers
Expansion of psychologists, licensed mental health practitioners, licensed independent mental health practitioners, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors resulted in an estimated 912,000 additional appointments with licensed psychological assessment and therapy providers
Rural counties saw an increase of 143 licensed behavioral health providers, resulting in an estimated 166,080 additional appointments
The report examines workforce capacity and highlights both progress and ongoing gaps across the continuum of care.
“At the same time, the report reinforces that our work is not done,” Dr. Doyle said. “Demand continues to grow, and many Nebraskans still face challenges accessing services. That’s why continued innovation and collaboration remain so important.”
The findings are intended to inform policymakers, educators, health systems, and community partners as they work to strengthen Nebraska’s behavioral health workforce and improve access to care.
“This is a Nebraska-grown approach to workforce development that is demonstrating outcomes,” Dr Doyle said. “It reflects a long-term commitment to the health and well-being of our communities.”