The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) in collaboration with our Regional Behavioral Health Authorities and providers offer mental health resources to Nebraskans effected by severe weather through the Nebraska Strong Recovery Project.
This initiative is in response to the severe weather, straight-line winds, and tornados that passed through the state in April 2024. The Nebraska Strong Recovery Project offers free, confidential, virtual, and in-person mental health support and counseling to Nebraskans experiencing emotional distress such as anxiety, loneliness, feelings of being overwhelmed, or finding it difficult to cope with a stressful event.
Services are offered in-person at the individual’s preferred location, such as their home, library, or park. The Nebraska Strong Recovery Project uses chat, in-person, phone, text, and social media tools.
The care provided through the Nebraska Strong Recovery Project adapts to the individual in need of support. Catastrophic weather can cause long-lasting emotional challenges for individuals. This initiative provides support to Nebraskans regardless of the cause.
“Stressful events, such as experiencing severe weather, leave behind impacts that reach beyond property damage. Abnormal or tense events can cause individuals, their families, coworkers, or friends to experience a wide range of emotions that can be challenging to understand and process” said Dr. Thomas Janousek, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health.
It is normal to feel emotional distress after a natural disaster. The effects of distress can show up right away, or linger for days, weeks, months after a storm or beyond. As the holiday season approaches, these feelings may increase in frequency and intensity. Anyone needing support, is encouraged to reach out for assistance. You are not alone. It is okay to not be okay and access the help you need.
Nebraskans can access services through the following options:
- The Nebraska Strong Recovery team is available every Wednesday, 10:00am-12:00pm, at COPE in Elkhorn, NE and every Thursday, 10:00am-12:00pm, at First Lutheran in Blair, NE.
- The Region 6 Nebraska Strong Recovery team is available to provide counseling, engagement activities, referrals, and help finding additional resources. Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare is open Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm. Call 402-444-6573.
- Call/Text 988 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.
Services are funded through a Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) grant provided through a partnership of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
For more information about the Nebraska Strong Recovery Project and information about accessing resources across the state, visit: https://nebraskastrongrecoveryproject.nebraska.edu/.
For more information about treatment and recovery resources in Nebraska, visit: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Addiction-Treatment-and-Recovery.aspx.
If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; call, text, or chat 988. You can call on another person’s behalf.
- Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660.
- Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258.
- Your faith-based leader, healthcare professional, or student health center on campus