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Ambassador Program helps students explore careers in behavioral health.
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BHECN provides support to students and trainees in behavioral health fields.
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Retain & Support Current Workforce
Support the current workforce through professional development, training and resources.
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BHECN evaluates the behavioral health workforce in Nebraska.
The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) recruits & educates students in behavioral health fields and trains & retains professionals already in the workforce. Learn more
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Revolutionizing Access to Behavioral Health Care in Nebraska from UNMC BHECN on Vimeo. BHECN shares new video! Like and Share!BHECN embarked on a six-month-long project to develop a new video which explains the purpose and mission behind why we do, what we do. With ENVOY INC.'s help, we interviewed several educators, providers, and students within BHECN's 15 partner programs while they were here in Omaha for the 1st Annual Behavioral Health Education Seminar. Interviewed participants for the video discussed BHECN's impact on improving the workforce for behavioral health in Nebraska.
Along with the new 7-minute video ENVOY also produced 12 short video spotlights which will be released throughout the year. These video spotlights will shine their light on different topics in behavioral health. We also developed a name for the 15 partners program, which will now be referred to as the Nebraska Behavioral Health Education Partnership or "The Partnership"
BHECN would like to thank all of our volunteer interviewees for their valuable time and insights into the impact BHECN has had on rural workforce needs. We look forward to working together on future solutions!
Connect with BHECN on Facebook to see the upcoming BHECN Spotlights!
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 Rural Futures Institute's Episode 14 - Psychiatrist Howard Liu intersects mental health, workforce accessDr. Connie with Rural Futures Institute hosted Howard Liu, M.D., Interim Chair of Psychiatry and Director of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, on her podcast.
On the podcast, Dr. Liu addresses the critical area of mental health care access for rural communities. As one of the only organizations of its kind in the United States, BHECN works as a skunkworks to solve the wicked problem — a critical shortage of mental health providers in the highest underserved areas of the state. Dr. Liu also addresses the signs and signals of mental health illness we should all be aware of and emphasizes the need for self reflection and self care. |
 Core Topics for Behavioral Health ProvidersInform Your Practice: An Evidence-Based Approach for Clients with Dual Diagnosis is now available online! The recent webinar on evidence-based approach for clients with dual diagnosis by Dr. Dennis McChargue, associate professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now available online.
Visit BHECN's website for free Online Training Options!
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Project ECHO Monthly Calls
Check the schedule to register for the upcoming call!
Project ECHO is a virtual consultation model where physical and behavioral health providers can call in and receive recommendations on a patient case. Each Project ECHO series focuses on a specific health topic, and experts on that topic are present to provide recommendations. This Project ECHO call series focuses on Pain and Substance Use Disorder and allows providers the opportunity to make recommendations on cases and learn from their peers’ presentations. Sign up for the Project ECHO newsletter to stay informed of upcoming calls.
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University of Nebraska Kearney awarded AmeriCorps Grant for $126,121
This grant will support psychology students at the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK).
The UNK Counseling and School Psychology Department and the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska-Kearney (BHECN) were recently awarded a sub-award for the AmeriCorps Grant for $126,121. Read more.
Photo: Swearing in of students as AmeriCorps volunteers to start their internship. From left to right Katie Donahoo, Kelsey Belgum, Amber Schulenberg and Dr. Tina Chasek
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and ServeNebraska for $126,121 dollars. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by ServeNebraska, HHS or the U.S. Government. |
Congratulations to Havalynn Russell!
Havalynn Russell has been nominated by all students on rotation with Lasting Hope Recovery Center (LHRC) as the BHECN Mentor of the Quarter! Read more. Photo (from left): CU Pharmacy student Nick Olund, Dr. Hsieh, Havalynn Russell, UNMC PA student Brianna Davis and UNMC M3 Emma Huebner. |
Welcome to new BHECN team member!
Bill Baerentzen, MHTTC Project Coordinator,
Bill joined BHECN to assist with the new Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) but he is not new to BHECN. Read more.
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Psychiatric Nursing Summit Update - Join Us!
Register today for the Psychiatric Nursing Workforce Summit Every nurse is impacted by mental health in some way, whether it is via patient challenges or personal struggles. It is imperative for every nurse, not just those who are specialists, are educated and well prepared to most effectively help those who are struggling with mental health issues. The Psychiatric Nursing Workforce Summit allows nurses who are passionate about improving patient lives to be at the forefront of collectively addressing the gap in mental health services from all angles, through education, practice changes, and legislative and policy actions. Read more. |
Mental Health Series in Lincoln Journal Star
The Lincoln Journal Star has featured a series of articles on Mental Health. The article on July 3 by Riley Johnson is linked here: Is telehealth the answer to Nebraska's mental health care shortage? (Other articles can be found linked to this article at the Lincoln Journal Star website.) The artwork in the logo for the Journal Star's mental health series is an acrylic painting, "Dreamback the Elder," by Nigel Magor. |
Webinar Series Featuring Dr. Tina Chasek
Tina Chasek, Ph.D., LIMHP, LADC and director of BHECN Kearney participated in a three-part webinar series for the Midwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center on Recruitment and Retention.
Dr. Chasek presented for 20 minutes on Wednesday, July 25 and shared examples of how BHECN is building the rural workforce in Nebraska. The ATTC is an international, multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field. For more information about the ATTC Click Here. |
Ambassador Spotlight
Lequisha Sims is a licensed mental health professional in Omaha currently working towards her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. BHECN met Lequisha when we gathered the 15 behavioral health training programs for a daylong seminar last April. Read more.
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Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes)
Project ECHO is a virtual consultation model where physical and behavioral health providers can call in and receive recommendations on a patient case. Each Project ECHO series focuses on a specific health topic, and experts on that topic are present to provide recommendations. This Project ECHO call series focuses on Pain and Substance Use Disorder and allows providers the opportunity to make recommendations on cases and learn from their peers’ presentations.
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 Farm Camp - Six Years of Fun and EducationFarm Camp (Frontier Area Rural Mental-Health Camp And Mentorship Program) is an annual week-long summer program designed to give rural students the opportunity to connect with mentors working in behavioral health careers in rural communities. Currently, in its 6th year, the camp’s continued success lies in the passion the Farm Camp Leadership Team has for the work. Read More |
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ACE Award Winners Selected |
 BHECN WebinarsBHECN recently wrapped up a series of webinars as part of the "Core Topics for Behavioral Health Providers." The following recorded webinars are available to view at any time: View the recorded webinars here.
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BHECN Overview
Behavioral Health Career Pathways
Learn more about career path options in behavioral health.
