Family Resources in Resources in Nebraska
- Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health (dhhs.ne.gov) Resources and contacts
- Nebraska Mental Health Alliance (nebraskamentalhealth.com) Find a provider and information
- Mental Health Resources in Nebraska (rtor.org) Nonprofit provides an online form for personalized assistance from a resource specialist
- Treatment and Recovery for addiction and mental illness (dhhs.ne.gov) Treatment services listed by region plus a family helpline: 888-866-8660
- NAMI Nebraska (naminebraska.org) Support groups, training, information
- Disability Rights Nebraska (disabilityrightsnebraska.org) Protection and advocacy for individuals with disabilities
- Nebraska Homeless Assistance Program (dhhs.ne.gov) Street outreach, shelters, rental assistance, and more
- Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (dcs-inmatesearch.ne.gov) Search for someone in prison by DCS number or name
- Nebraska State Bar Association (nebar.com) Legal assistance
How many people in Nebraska have SMI?
individuals with severe mental illness.
individuals with SMI who receive treatment in a given year.
of the adult population is estimated living with a SMI in the United States.
State psychiatric hospital beds in Nebraska
2023 total beds: 194
- Civil beds: 82
- Forensic beds: 112
2023 beds per 100,000 people: 9.9
Click here for more information about state psychiatric hospital beds in Nebraska.
A minimum of 50 beds per 100,000 people is considered necessary to provide minimally adequate treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. Nebraska fails to meet this minimum standard.
For Additional Information
Data is a powerful tool to advocate for change. Curious about a specific data point in your state? Reach out to us at ORPA@treatmentadvocacycenter.org
Fast Facts on SMI in Nebraska
Deinstitutionalization, outdated treatment laws, discriminatory Medicaid funding practices, and the prolonged failure by states to fund their mental health systems drive those in need of care into the criminal justice and corrections systems.
19%
1,886
194
10 to 1
2021 Nebraska State Mental Health Agency's expenditures
Every state receives block grant funding from the federal government to provide mental health services to their community. Below is some information about how these dollars are spent and compares to other state spending.
$202,300,802
30%
$6,892
1.3%
Nebraska's Treatment Laws
NEB. REV. STAT. § 71-919(1). A law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that a person is mentally ill and [meets the criteria for emergency evaluation] may take such person into emergency protective custody, cause him or her to be taken into emergency protective custody, or continue his or her custody if he or she is already in custody.
NEB. REV. STAT. § 71-921(1). Any person who believes that another person is mentally ill and dangerous may communicate such belief to the county attorney. The filing of a certificate by a law enforcement officer shall be sufficient to communicate such belief. If the county attorney concurs … he or she shall file a petition as provided in this section. NEB. REV. STAT. § 71-922 (1). Mental health board proceedings shall be deemed to have commenced upon the earlier of (a) the filing of a petition …or (b) notification by the county attorney to the law enforcement officer who took the subject into emergency protective custody under or the administrator of the treatment center or medical facility having charge of the subject of his or her intention to file such petition. The county attorney shall file such petition as soon as reasonably practicable after such notification. NEB. REV. STAT. § 71-925(1). The state has the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that (a) the subject is mentally ill and dangerous and (b) neither voluntary hospitalization nor other treatment alternatives less restrictive of the subject's liberty than inpatient or outpatient treatment ordered by the mental health board are available or would suffice to prevent the harm described in section 71-908. NEB. REV. STAT. § 71-908. Mentally ill and dangerous person means a person who is mentally ill … and because of such mental illness… presents: (1) A substantial risk of serious harm to another person or persons within the near future as manifested by evidence of recent violent acts or threats of violence or by placing others in reasonable fear of such harm; or (2) A substantial risk of serious harm to himself or herself within the near future as manifested by evidence of recent attempts at, or threats of, suicide or serious bodily harm or evidence of inability to provide for his or her basic human needs, including food, clothing, shelter, essential medical care, or personal safety.
Recommended updates to treatment laws
- 1
Amend Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-921(1) to authorize citizen right of petition for at least enumerated citizens, preferably any responsible adult, for emergency evaluation
- 2
Amend Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-921(1) to authorize citizen right of petition for at least enumerated citizens, preferably any responsible adult, for inpatient commitment
- 3
Add psychiatric deterioration criteria
- 4
Amend Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-921(1) to authorize citizen right of petition for at least enumerated citizens, preferably any responsible adult, for outpatient commitment
- 5
Amend Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-931(3) to require a that written treatment plan be submitted to the court (current requirement is that plan be submitted to county attorney)
- 6
Amend Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-932 to extend duration of outpatient order beyond 90 days
- 7
Amend Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-932 to extend duration of all continued orders for outpatient treatment to or beyond 180 days
- 8
Adopt express procedures for the court to monitor uncontested AOT orders entered into voluntarily to give the benefit of the black robe effect to all enrollees