Mental Health Reform | NET Radio

Two Years Later -- Apr. 28, 2006

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:00:00 PDT

A 21% increase in the number of people receiving community services in the past two years has spurred a commitment from the leaders of HHS to continue reform efforts.

Part 12 -- Apr. 7, 2006

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 11 -- Apr. 6, 2006

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 10 -- Mar. 31, 2006

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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

Part 9 -- Mar. 30, 2006

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 8 -- Mar. 24, 2006

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 7 -- Mar. 23, 2006

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 6 -- Mar. 17, 2006

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 5 -- Mar. 16, 2006

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 4 -- Mar. 10, 2006

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 3 -- Mar. 9, 2006

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 2 -- Mar. 3, 2006

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 13:00:00 PDT

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.

Part 1 -- Mar. 2, 2006

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 16:00:00 PDT

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.