Nebraska Behavioral Health Policy Forum

Watch a recording of BHECN's 5th annual Policy Forum!

Mental health courts, reimbursement rates, integrative care, licensure barriers and access to mental health care in schools were five key policy areas identified at the first convening of the Nebraska Mental Health Policy Coalition in October.

The convening featured a gathering of more than 100 behavioral health leaders from throughout the state.

While there is hope that the 2025 Nebraska Legislature will address issues in these policy areas, Amanda McGill Johnson and James Michael Bowers – who lead the convening – told those who attended BHECN’s 5^th Annual Nebraska Behavioral Health Policy forum that the bigger goal is to create a comprehensive policy agenda that improves behavioral health in Nebraska for years to come.

“This is our attempt to bring it all together,” McGill Johnson said.

A major next step in the coalition’s efforts will be the completion of a statewide study of Nebraska’s mental health landscape. The study will begin in earnest after the new year. McGill Johnson and Bowers encouraged those who had research questions, resources and other policy ideas to reach out to them.

McGill Johnson – who is executive director of Nebraska Cures -- can be reached at amanda@nebraskacures.com. Bowers, executive director of NAMI Nebraska, can be reached at jbowers@naminebraska.org.

Learn more about the convening by watching a recording of the policy forum below. Also, you can download slides McGill Johnson shared during the presentation here.