The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN), housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has released its 2026 Behavioral Health Workforce Capacity Report, highlighting measurable growth in Nebraska’s behavioral health workforce and its impact on access to care.
The report offers one of the clearest measures to date of how long-term investment in workforce development is impacting access to behavioral health services across the state, while also identifying areas where challenges remain.
“The Capacity Report gives us a way to quantify something we’ve long believed—that sustained investment in workforce development leads to real, measurable improvements in access to care,” said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN.
Key findings from the report:
- Nebraska experienced a 49% increase in licensed behavioral health providers from 2010 to 2024, including a 24% increase in rural counties
- An estimated 1.2 million additional behavioral health appointments were available to Nebraskans in 2024 compared to 2010
- Growth in the psychiatric workforce resulted in an estimated 322,560 additional appointments with licensed psychiatric medical providers
- Expansion of psychologists, licensed mental health practitioners, licensed independent mental health practitioners, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors resulted in an estimated 912,000 additional appointments with licensed psychological assessment and therapy providers
- Rural counties saw an increase of 143 licensed behavioral health providers, resulting in an estimated 166,080 additional appointments
The report examines workforce capacity and highlights both progress and ongoing gaps across the continuum of care.
“At the same time, the report reinforces that our work is not done,” Dr. Doyle said. “Demand continues to grow, and many Nebraskans still face challenges accessing services. That’s why continued innovation and collaboration remain so important.”
The findings are intended to inform policymakers, educators, health systems, and community partners as they work to strengthen Nebraska’s behavioral health workforce and improve access to care.
“This is a Nebraska-grown approach to workforce development that is demonstrating outcomes,” Dr Doyle said. “It reflects a long-term commitment to the health and well-being of our communities.”
–30–
About UNMC
As Nebraska’s only public academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center enrolls more than 4,800 students across six colleges, two institutes and a graduate studies program. A nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, UNMC’s mission is to create a healthier future for Nebraskans through premier education, research and clinical care, but its impact – rooted in a culture of collaboration, big ideas and public-private partnerships – goes far beyond, in areas that include infectious diseases, rural health, cancer research and treatments, global health security, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and simulation and experiential learning technologies.
About BHECN
The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 2009 to address the state’s behavioral health workforce shortage. Housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, BHECN is dedicated to improving access to behavioral health care across Nebraska. BHECN operates a comprehensive, statewide model for behavioral health workforce development across six regional sites. Through this work, BHECN supports the recruitment, training, and retention of behavioral health professionals and advances data-driven solutions to strengthen the workforce.