{"id":121603,"date":"2025-04-23T08:26:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T13:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=121603"},"modified":"2025-04-23T08:26:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T13:26:54","slug":"nebraska-behavioral-health-champions-honored-with-bhecn-awards-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/04\/23\/nebraska-behavioral-health-champions-honored-with-bhecn-awards-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska behavioral health champions honored with BHECN awards"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The full-circle nature of the moment was not lost on Annette Dubas, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she received the 2024 Distinguished Service Award \u2013 the highest honor bestowed by the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska \u2013 the Fullerton native reflected on her time as a state legislator, during which she helped pass a 2009 measure that created BHECN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBack then, who could have envisioned we\u2019d be standing here tonight?\u201d Dubas asked the roughly 170 guests gathered at Lauritzen Gardens for BHECN\u2019s recent annual awards dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dubas, who received the award for her \u201cleadership, service, advocacy and heart in support of behavioral health workforce development in Nebraska, said BHECN was born out of a state behavioral health emergency. It was a crisis that peaked following the passage of a \u201cSafe Haven Law\u201d that allowed overwhelmed parents to leave their children at Nebraska hospitals, regardless of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crisis quickly revealed the consequences of the state\u2019s shortage of behavioral health workers, as many of the children dropped off at hospitals struggled with behavioral health issues. A key part of the legislative response, Dubas said, was the creation of BHECN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, she said, she\u2019s been proud to watch BHECN grow and become a leader in addressing the state\u2019s workforce challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Dubas has been far more than a bystander in the effort to improve behavioral health in Nebraska, said Erin Schneider, EdD, BHECN\u2019s former deputy director, as she presented Dubas with the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnnette has been a steadfast advocate for improving access to mental health and substance use disorder services, securing provider rate increases and addressing workforce challenges,\u201d Dr. Schneider said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dubas\u2019s contributions span both her eight-year tenure in the Legislature and the following decade as executive director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnnette has also been a valued partner, advisor and friend to BHECN, and we are deeply grateful for her support and leadership,\u201d Dr. Schneider said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four others were also honored at the dinner:<\/p>\n\n\n\n