Hundreds of new behavioral health providers have been added to Nebraska’s workforce between 2010 and 2024. That’s according to the latest workforce report from the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska. There are six BHECN centers across the state, and each one plays a role in the growth. “Nebraska has made real progress,” said Marley Doyle, director of BHECN. Their latest report shows there was a 49% increase in the number of licensed providers between 2010 and 2024 statewide. Doyle said that’s equivalent to an additional 1.2 million appointments each year. “That’s quite astounding because each appointment represents an opportunity an opportunity for someone in Nebraska to get the care when and where they need it,” Doyle said.Doyle said the increase is happening in rural areas where access is most limited. “There’s been an increase of 143 providers in rural Nebraska, which translates to approximately 166,000 visits annually that were not there in 2010,” Doyle said. Doyle said they’ve used the “Nebraska model” to achieve the growth. “That model includes six components that we use to address behavioral health shortages. So it goes from career awareness to career preparation training experiences, professional support, workforce research and outreach and engagement,” Doyle said.A majority of the new providers, Doyle said, are homegrown, which she said can help improve the quality of care. “Having a provider that has a similar background as you has been shown to have better outcomes, better health outcomes,” Doyle said. Doyle said workforce shortages still remain, and the demand for behavioral health continues to increase. “While this progress is really heartening, we need to still continue to invest and do statewide coordination so we can make sure that we continue to try to meet the future demand,” Doyle said.So, how many providers does Nebraska need to feel they have a ‘grasp on things’?”That is a perfect question and might be the subject of our next report,” Doyle said. “But we are still working on the data that because that is essentially the question is how many providers do you need to meet the demand? And so we are looking into that. We know we don’t have enough, but how much is enough? And the behavioral health care system, too, is beyond just the number of providers. So, there’s a lot of components that also play a role.”Doyle said Nebraska was on the forefront of implementing a center to tackle this issue; now other states are turning to them for guidance. If you or someone you love is struggling, you can call the 988 hotline at any time. You can also get connected to the BHECN and find a provider by clicking here.
OMAHA, Neb., —
Hundreds of new behavioral health providers have been added to Nebraska’s workforce between 2010 and 2024. That’s according to the latest workforce report from the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska.
There are six BHECN centers across the state, and each one plays a role in the growth.
“Nebraska has made real progress,” said Marley Doyle, director of BHECN.
Their latest report shows there was a 49% increase in the number of licensed providers between 2010 and 2024 statewide. Doyle said that’s equivalent to an additional 1.2 million appointments each year.
“That’s quite astounding because each appointment represents an opportunity an opportunity for someone in Nebraska to get the care when and where they need it,” Doyle said.
Doyle said the increase is happening in rural areas where access is most limited.
“There’s been an increase of 143 providers in rural Nebraska, which translates to approximately 166,000 visits annually that were not there in 2010,” Doyle said.
Doyle said they’ve used the “Nebraska model” to achieve the growth.
“That model includes six components that we use to address behavioral health shortages. So it goes from career awareness to career preparation training experiences, professional support, workforce research and outreach and engagement,” Doyle said.
A majority of the new providers, Doyle said, are homegrown, which she said can help improve the quality of care.
“Having a provider that has a similar background as you has been shown to have better outcomes, better health outcomes,” Doyle said.
Doyle said workforce shortages still remain, and the demand for behavioral health continues to increase.
“While this progress is really heartening, we need to still continue to invest and do statewide coordination so we can make sure that we continue to try to meet the future demand,” Doyle said.
So, how many providers does Nebraska need to feel they have a ‘grasp on things’?
“That is a perfect question and might be the subject of our next report,” Doyle said. “But we are still working on the data that because that is essentially the question is how many providers do you need to meet the demand? And so we are looking into that. We know we don’t have enough, but how much is enough? And the behavioral health care system, too, is beyond just the number of providers. So, there’s a lot of components that also play a role.”
Doyle said Nebraska was on the forefront of implementing a center to tackle this issue; now other states are turning to them for guidance.
If you or someone you love is struggling, you can call the 988 hotline at any time.
You can also get connected to the BHECN and find a provider by clicking here.