A 2024 study showed almost 26% of Nebraskans reported having a mental-health illness in the past year -- nearly 3% higher than the national average.
Providers and stakeholders of Nebraska's behavioral health care system face uncertainty as more budget cuts loom. In the last legislative session, $15 million was cut from the state's behavioral health services budget and the heads of state government divisions are now being asked to find more cuts.
Tiffany Gressley, regional administrator for Region 3 Behavioral Health Services, questioned how cuts to behavioral health align with Nebraska's conservative values.
"We're being fiscally conservative by serving these people early; as early as we can," Gressley pointed out. "We're saving money and we're saving, on top of that, the human cost that goes along with untreated mental health conditions. "
Gressley explained last year's cut brought the total budget reductions to Nebraska's behavioral health system to nearly $50 million over the past six years, much of it from unfunded provider rate increases. She stressed budget cuts mean fewer Nebraskans receive services.
Among Nebraska counties, 88 of 93 had a shortage of behavioral health providers in 2023, and 29 had none at all. Many rural Nebraskans face considerable challenges accessing behavioral health care, which advocates said further budget cuts will only exacerbate.
Sadie Thompson, chief innovation officer for the Lincoln-based Wellbeing Initiative, an organization providing services for mental health, substance use and chronic physical health conditions, said after a nearly 12% cut to its budget this fiscal year, the organization had to close satellite locations in Fairbury and Geneva and was unable to open one planned for Seward.
"All of these rural communities that we were really starting to see lots of engagement with and impact basically got the rug pulled out and weren't able to continue to have these services," Thompson noted. "These communities don't have services anyway."
Bob Shueey, CEO of South Central Behavioral Services in Hastings and Kearney, said they are constantly looking for qualified therapists and frequently have to turn patients away as a result. Shueey added the state's low provider rate combined with retirements has depleted the state's behavioral health workforce. He argued without attention, the situation will only worsen.
"Even if we raise the rates to a sustainable rate today, it's a multiyear pipeline before someone's even able to start working," Shueey emphasized. "Then that information has to be out there to new students and to young people. 'I'll be able to make my house payment and pay my student loans if I do this; I'm not going to be poor my whole life.'"
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If the cold weather and snow have got you down and feeling like there's no end in sight, you are not alone.
Nationwide, up to 6% of the population suffers from seasonal affective disorder. People in colder climates are especially affected. Seasonal affective disorder is typically a temporary form of depression triggered by lack of sunlight in the fall and winter months.
Konadu Fokuo, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, said it is common to feel a little down and tired this time of year and important to know if it is something more serious.
"If you're experiencing seasonal affective disorder, you will notice it is a persistent low mood," Fokuo explained. "Even when you do things that you typically enjoy, they're not very enjoyable. You lose pleasure and interest in things."
Women in particular report increased irritability, she added. Fokuo suggested spending time outdoors to combat symptoms even on cold, cloudy days to increase sun exposure and exercise. Both have been proven to be effective in addressing seasonal affective disorder.
People with the subtype of depression can experience increased anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. They may notice changes in appetite and sleep and a loss in their ability to concentrate and handle stress.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said awareness is key to addressing symptoms.
"More Americans than ever are reporting poor mental health days, having concerns with anxiety and depression," Randall pointed out. "We're seeing increased suicides and drug overdose in our country, so it really is important to recognize when you're feeling blue and it's persistent."
Other helpful strategies include using light therapy at home, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, managing stress levels, and supplementing your diet with vitamin D3.
Randall added in some cases, medication and therapy can be effective, so seek help from a mental health professional if symptoms persist.
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Minnesota is in the depths of extremely cold and occasionally snowy weather this February.
These familiar winter conditions might have some feeling down, and experts caution it's not something to ignore.
The term winter blues gets thrown around this time of year. However, researchers say for some, it can be a serious concern, noting up to 6% of the U.S. population suffers from seasonal affective disorder.
It's a form of depression punctuated by the shorter days and longer nights.
Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychology Education at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Sabine Schmid, said this disorder can be quite debilitating.
"SAD in the winter often goes with sleeping more than usual," said Schmid, "feeling sluggish during the day and craving carbohydrates, which often leads to significant weight gain."
Trouble concentrating and social withdrawal are other symptoms. One way to combat this disorder is exposure to daylight.
When it's sunny, try to get outside for at least 30 minutes, or 60 minutes when skies are gray. You can also supplement that with at home therapy involving a light box, which mimics natural sunlight.
It's suggested you talk to a health provider about the best kinds to try.
Building a network of supportive friends and family, or checking in with a mental health professional or primary care physician are other tips.
UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall said reengaging with exercise can help, too.
"Research would tell us that by now that about three quarters of us have abandoned that New Year's resolution," said Randall, "so it's not too late to get back on track and think about it as a long-term goal, right? You're on a marathon, not a sprint."
UnitedHealthcare says to stay on track with fitness goals, focus on the process rather than the outcome.
For example, if you want to shed unwanted weight, aim to walk at least 6,000 steps each day and strength train twice a week.
Along the way, that consistent physical activity might aid efforts to ward off seasonal affective disorder.
Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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An Atlanta-based group is making sure more people have access to an unconventional but effective treatment for their moderate mental health challenges: art.
It is estimated 1.8 million adults in Georgia live with some form of mental illness. The group Art Pharmacy partners with health care providers and community organizations to integrate creative activities into treatment plans.
Chris Appleton, founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, said the approach, known as "social prescribing," connects people to arts and cultural experiences as a way to combat the mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic in the U.S.
"People get prescriptions to go to dance classes," Appleton outlined. "People get prescriptions to go on a guided tour at a museum. People get prescriptions to go to a ceramics workshop, or maybe a visit to your local botanical gardens."
In Georgia, Art Pharmacy partners with school-based behavioral health clinics to support young people struggling with anxiety and depression. It is also working with Medicaid health plans to assist at-risk youth with serious emotional disturbances, and helping older adults at risk of social isolation.
Appleton stressed Art Pharmacy is not meant to replace psychotherapy, especially for those who need psychiatric care, but it is another option for those with mild to moderate concerns. He added through care navigators, people are connected to creative activities that keep them engaged in treatment, offering a different path to improving their mental well-being while reducing stigma.
"There's an acknowledgment that new forms of care are required to make progress on these struggles," Appleton asserted. "I think a second piece is that while stigma around mental health has improved in the U.S. over the past several years -- especially among younger generations -- many people still struggle to raise their hand and say, 'I need help.'"
He added Art Pharmacy keeps track of progress using mental health and well-being assessments. While there are challenges in making social prescribing a standard part of health care, he believes it is only a matter of time before the approach becomes a go-to option alongside traditional treatments.
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