and substance use concerns. A minor in Nebraska is defined as someone under the age of 19. Youth may enter voluntarily with their parent/guardian or be placed under an EPC order, which, by law, must be initiated by law enforcement. Appropriate medical assessments and mental health screening assessments are completed first, to determine appropriate next steps. Patients in need of medical stability are initially admitted to Faith Regional’s Pediatric Unit and treated by a pediatrician, cared for nonstop by a nurse and patient safety attendant, and assigned a social worker to coordinate appropriate transfer or discharge plans once the patient is medically safe to transfer, as Faith Regional is not licensed to have juvenile inpatients with behavioral health needs. Currently, six facilities in the state do serve juvenile inpatient behavioral health needs, but not all accept EPC patients. While transfers to these facilities depend on bed availability statewide, our team ensures that every child and family has an advocate and the resources needed to help them through the process. A system under strain and our commitment to care The need for behavioral health services across Nebraska continues to increase, creating new challenges for patients, families and providers. Limited resources compound the complexity of meeting these needs. Despite these challenges, Faith Regional continues to provide this vital service as a nonprofit hospital for the sole purpose of benefiting the communities it serves. Because Nebraska’s behavioral health facilities must often share patients across long distances, sometimes more than 400 miles from Norfolk, collaboration is essential. Health care providers and mental health professionals are trained to treat and support individuals experiencing psychiatric crises, but they have extremely limited authority to enforce laws or control dangerous situations. In contrast, law enforcement officers have the power under Nebraska law to intervene and maintain public safety, but they may not have the specialized training to address underlying mental health needs. Thus, collaboration between the two groups is essential to the timely and appropriate care of those in need of mental health services. In addition to Faith Regional’s inpatient behavioral health services, its outpatient behavioral health services have grown significantly. What began with no outpatient services has expanded into a clinic staffed by three therapists and four nurse practitioners who provide care for children, adolescents and adults of all ages. These services reach multiple rural communities across northeastern Nebraska, improving access to behavioral health care throughout the region through outreach clinics and telehealth services. “We are proud to be a cornerstone of behavioral health care in Nebraska, but this work cannot be done alone,” says Kelly Driscoll, RN, MHA, FACHE, Faith Regional’s President and CEO. “We are sincerely thankful to our partners who share with us in the mission to ensure that every individual, whether an adult in crisis or a child in need of care, has a safe place to turn. Our collaboration provides a lifeline for the people of Nebraska.” Clothing for comfort Unfinished Apparel owner Lauren Bean started this apparel company after her own mental health crisis and discovery of the lack of clothing available in many inpatient psychiatric units. Every purchase of Unfinished Apparel contributes to the goal of donating comfortable clothing to patients at partnered units. She wants to assist in creating an environment where patients can focus on mental and emotional healing from a place of physical comfort. In July 2025, Unfinished Apparel made four donations of clothing to the Behavioral Health Unit, with the intention of continuing to donate, including sweatshirts, t-shirts and pants with mental health positive messages. We invite all partners and community members to learn more about our behavioral health services by scanning the QR code with your cellphone camera. FRHS.ORG 9
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