Nebraska Mental Health System for Children in ‘Sorry Condition,’ Omaha World-Herald Series Says

Nebraska's mental health care system for children is in a "sorry condition" and is "desperate for attention," according to a four-part series in the Omaha World-Herald. The state is "plagued" by a shortage of psychiatric specialists, lack of treatment facilities and "buck passing" among the public and private organizations that pay for mental health care, according to the series (Olson, Omaha World-Herald, 1/13). The series thus far has included these stories:

• "Insurance often shuts out mentally ill": Examines how parents of mentally ill children struggle with paying for their care (Olson/Kolman, Omaha World-Herald, 1/14).
• "Some parents give up custody to ensure mental health care": Focuses on the trend of parents relinquishing custody so that their children can get needed mental health care (Olson/Kolman, Omaha World-Herald, 1/14).
• "Family's trust in system went unrewarded": Profiles the family of a teenager with a mental disorder that was forced to surrender custody of the child to Nebraska in order to cover the cost of care (Olson, Omaha World-Herald, 1/14).