Nebraska Counseling Association News

Mental Health America State of Mental Health Report

Nicole Kauk — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:31:54 GMT

The 2025 State of Mental Health in America Report is here!

Released today, Mental Health America is pleased to share our 2025 State of Mental Health in America Report, which highlights the latest national data and state-level rankings on mental health and well-being in the U.S.

Each year, Mental Health America uses the most recent publicly available federal data to rank all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In this year's report, New York, Hawaii, and New Jersey ranked highest in the nation for mental health – reflecting lower rates of mental illness and higher access to care – while Nevada, Arizona and Alabama ranked lowest.

Key findings from the 2025 report

Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults continue to experience mental illnesses annually.
The prevalence of mental health concerns among adults in the U.S. remained stable from 2021 to 2024, but these rates are still unacceptably high.
Access remains a major barrier to care in the U.S.
Mental health among youth (ages 12-17) in the U.S. improved significantly from 2023 to 2024. Continued support is needed to sustain these trends.

These findings offer critical insights to drive policy, improve care, and support people living with mental health conditions across the country.

Youth spotlight on mental health advocacy

This year's report is published in tandem with a youth spotlight on mental health advocacy, created by MHA's Young Leaders Council. This supplemental report shows how young people are already turning awareness into action and provides strategies and inspiration for others to follow.

Where did your state rank?

Explore the full report

Mental Health America
500 Montgomery Street, Ste 820 | Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 684-7722 | info@mhanational.org

Counseling Compact Update

Nicole Kauk — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 01:19:47 GMT

It’s No Longer a Dream. The Counseling Compact Is Going Live!

Dear Members,

It’s happening! The Counseling Compact is officially launching on September 30, with Arizona and Minnesota being the first of 38 states and the District of Columbia prepared to start granting privileges. Several additional states are expected to be online in the coming weeks and months.

The Counseling Compact is revolutionizing our work. Today, we celebrate the work of thousands of professional counselors across the country who have helped make this dream a reality.

With the Counseling Compact going live, we know you may have a lot of questions. Here are answers to some of the most important things you need to know to prepare to apply for your privilege(s):

What Does the Counseling Compact Do?

The Counseling Compact allows you to:

Practice across state lines in Compact states.
Practice telehealth within and across Compact states.
Practice on a home state license during deployment for military spouses.
Exchange a privilege and home state license if you move.

When Will Other States Start to Grant Privileges?

The work of making a Compact operational is a considerable effort. Developing a database that captures the information of the more than 200,000 licensed professional counselors across the country and ensuring it’s useful for all participating states takes time. More importantly, the Compact requires all participating counselors to have a complete FBI background check, which is a departure from some state’s requirements. States are hard at work compiling this information to be uploaded to the database so they can grant privileges. Contact your state board for more information on when they plan to be ready.

What Do I Need to Apply for a Privilege?

To apply for a privilege, you will need an active license from your home state, which must be a participating state, a clean record — no sanctions in the last two years — and a completed FBI background check

How Do I Apply for a Privilege?

Applying for a privilege is simple! Visit the Counseling Compact Commission website and click on the link to apply for a privilege. You will select the states where you’d like to practice, and your information will be preloaded into the system. A fee of $30 per privilege will be collected by the Commission. In addition, each state will also charge a fee for your privilege. The costs will vary by state and will be indicated in the application process. Once your application is complete, the Commission sends your application to the state(s) where you’ve requested a privilege for final approval and granting of the privilege.

What If My State Has Not Passed the Compact Yet?

Twelve (12) states have not yet passed the Compact. However, some of them have active legislation, and others are in the beginning stages of introducing and enacting legislation. Contact your ACA branch or ACA's Government Affairs and Public Policy team to find out how you can get involved and get the Counseling Compact passed in your state.

Additional Information

Have more questions? Browse the FAQs on the Compact Commission website for more information on what you can expect in the coming weeks and months.

As we celebrate this milestone, we thank you for being an ACA member!

American Counseling Association

2461 Eisenhower Ave.

Suite 300

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

(p) 800-298-2276 | (f) 800-473-2329

SAMHSA and NBCC Update

Nicole Kauk — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 13:40:19 GMT

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's new strategic priorities may affect opportunities and requirements for practicing counselors. Our Government Affairs Department breaks it down. https://www.votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots/News#/Blog/8047

Nebraska pediatrician counters Trump administration's claims about autism

Nicole Kauk — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:14:57 GMT

Nebraska pediatrician counters Trump administration's claims about autism

After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a common chemotherapy drug as a way to alleviate symptoms of autism, a local pediatrician said it likely isn't a catch-all solution.

On the heels of an announcement from President Donald Trump on Monday, the FDA updated the suggested uses of leucovorin, a drug used to counteract the side effects of certain chemotherapy treatments, to label it as a form of autism treatment.

While leucovorin, a form of folinic acid — a B vitamin — has shown some promise in clinical trials with helping a small subset of children with autism improve their speech, studies show it is not a universal treatment, Dr. Erica Peterson, a Lincoln-based pediatrician, told the Journal Star.

"As a broad treatment, that's not typically something we use because we don't have the evidence that it helps most patients," she said. "Unless you've shown to have that particular need for that medicine, there's no evidence that the general population with autism spectrum disorder would benefit from that right now."

Trump, alongside U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also said Monday the FDA will begin advising against the use of acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — during pregnancy because it “can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.”

Various experts have pushed back on the decision, claiming past research has not shown a conclusive connection between acetaminophen and autism diagnoses, including the manufacturer of Tylenol, Kenvue.

Kenvue said in a statement that "sound science" shows no connection between acetaminophen and the developmental disorder, the Associated Press reported.

Peterson, a provider at Lincoln's Bluestem Health, 1021 N. 27th St., agreed, saying there is no conclusive evidence acetaminophen is linked to autism. While some studies have suggested Tylenol could potentially cause autism when taken while pregnant, many have shown no clear connection.

By not acknowledging all research studies, the announcement could cause panic for families and increase distrust in public officials, Peterson said.

"Cherry-picking studies to support a conclusion that you have without systematically looking at things, I think it makes people less likely to trust what public officials and experts are saying," she said. "And I think that's sad. Parents really just need the best information to do what's best for their family."

Peterson also worried the claim acetaminophen causes autism will cause unnecessary guilt and concern for parents with children with autism and take away a pain management source for pregnant women.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has long recommended acetaminophen as a safe pain reliever during pregnancy.

"As a pediatrician, as a parent and as a mom, it made me really sad to see how that was presented (Monday), because I think it's just one more way to place substantiated guilt on parents who have children with autism spectrum disorder," Peterson said.

Peterson said she believes the announcement shows they're looking for an easy solution to autism causes and treatments, when it's likely much more complex than that. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan, she said.

"People are looking for a very simple answer to what causes autism and a very simple answer for treatment. And it turns out, we suspect, it's a very complicated issue with all these different facets," she said.

Cathy Martinez, the president of the Autism Family Network in Nebraska, said she was happy the government was taking the time to look into a recent rise in autism in the country.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates 1 in 31 children in the United States have autism, up from 1 in 44 in 2021. Nebraska has an autism prevalence rate of 1 in 36, according to the Autism Society of America.

But health officials have largely attributed growing autism numbers to better recognition of cases.

"I am happy that our federal government is looking into the rise in the autism prevalence rate and what might be causing that. I’m anxious to see the study results that led to their conclusion," Martinez said in a statement.

Recent News

Nicole Kauk — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:19:35 GMT

'You're never alone' — Lincoln school spreads awareness on World Suicide Prevention Day

Pinning turquoise and purple metallic butterflies to a paper tree in the Park Middle School cafeteria, Kimberly Donis hoped her classmates would read the messages of hope and know they're not alone.

She hoped they would know there is hope. That their story matters. Their lives matter. And they have a place and a purpose in this world.

She hoped they left knowing they have a friend and confidant in her.

"You're never alone," the Park eighth grader said. "There's all this help."

Donis is a member of Park's Hope Squad, a group of students working to advocate for suicide prevention by providing resources, informational activities and a safe space for their peers.

On Wednesday, the Park Hope Squad honored World Suicide Prevention Day, which is Sept. 10, and National Suicide Prevention Month by inviting their peers to write encouraging messages on butterflies, which were hung on a paper tree in the school cafeteria for everyone to see and read.

Some students simply drew hearts or smiley faces on their butterflies, while others wrote notes like "stay strong," "you belong" and "you are loved."

"Days like today are so important because the entire world, not just a part of the world, is working together to provide resources to increase mental health awareness and prevent suicide," she said. "Being a part of this is very powerful."

Hope Squads is a peer-led program created in Utah in 2004 and has since been implemented in more than 1,600 schools across the nation — including every middle and high school at Lincoln Public Schools starting last spring, although the club has already been in some LPS schools for years.

Squad members are chosen through a nomination process that allows students to choose who they think would be a good person for fellow students to reach out to for help.

Local chapters in schools across LPS work throughout the school year to spread awareness about suicide, help students and teachers become familiar with the warning signs, give advice for what to do if they feel sad or depressed and ensure everyone knows the suicide hotline number — 988.

Between 2016 and 2022, Nebraska reported nearly 2,000 people died by suicide, 131 of whom were 15-19 years old. In 2023 alone, the state had 284 reported suicides.

For Richelle Dowding, a school counselor and facilitator of Park's Hope Squad, it's personal.

When she was 12 years old, her father took his own life. Now, she's working to ensure middle school students have the support they need.

"Supporting this cause has always been really important to me," she said. "Help is out there. People don't have to struggle alone."

If you or a loved one need assistance, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.

Nebraska moves to cut cost of foster care support, alarming providers

More than half of Nebraska children who are removed from their homes by the state move in with relatives or family friends under a process known as relative or kinship placements, which account for 55% of the state's foster care homes.

For years, the adults thrust into foster parenting through such placements — who often agree to take in children alleged to have been abused or neglected with little prior notice — have relied on state-contracted providers for all sorts of support services, particularly in Southeast Nebraska, where more than half of the state's children in out-of-home placements live.

The state-contracted providers might take a child to school for a new foster parent who did not expect to be caring for them even a day earlier. They might deliver diapers to a new foster home that doesn't have any.

They might be "doing training on the fly" for a caretaker who does not understand "why a child who's suffered trauma acts or behaves a certain way," said James Pruch, the CEO of Christian Heritage, a Walton-based organization that contracts with the state to provide direct support to relative and kinship foster families.

But the state will soon replace those providers with state employees in a cost-cutting move that Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services has said will save the state more than $10 million per year — a change that providers and watchdogs are both skeptical and fearful of.

In a July 10 memo to providers obtained by the Journal Star, Alyssa Bish, HHS's director of Children and Family Services, said the department had determined the state "could effectively serve relative and kinship foster homes at about half the cost of what is currently paid to providers."

The move has alarmed providers, including Pruch, who was among nearly two dozen providers who penned a letter to Bish and lawmakers earlier this month raising "serious concerns" about the plan and what it will mean for the state's most vulnerable children.

"Obviously, this is happening purely because of budgetary reasons," Pruch said. "But when it comes to children and families, should money be the main driver of that decision? And I would say no."

Watchdogs, too, have questioned how the state could provide the same level of care as providers at half the cost.

In a bulletin sent in late July, HHS projected the move would cut the cost of providing the services by 37% in the first year and 52% in subsequent years for an annual savings of more than $10.3 million — but provided no insight into how it will cut costs.

"I asked how they calculated that. 'Could I see the math?'" said Monika Gross, the executive director of Nebraska's Foster Care Review Office, who said HHS officials have yet to explain their calculus. "I still don't know. I mean, logic would say you can't just flip a switch and cut costs by 50% overnight."

In a statement, Jeff Powell, an HHS spokesman, said the department "continuously reviews all programs and operations to find ways to improve and streamline services and save taxpayer dollars" under the direction of Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican who has signaled plans to seek a 10% cut to the state's general fund budget next year as Nebraska faces a $311 million deficit.

In his statement, Powell said the department will utilize "an evidence-based model" known as the Arizona Kinship Navigation model "to provide ongoing support to relative and kinship families which enhances quality for families and provides an increased match in federal funds."

He said Bish and other Children and Family Services leaders "recently spent the day with providers in York to hear their concerns and feedback and are 'committed to continued dialogue.'"

"DHHS deeply values the expertise and dedication of the Nebraska CFS provider network and looks forward to an ongoing partnership to continue keeping kids safe and supporting families," Powell wrote.

But soon, one facet of the state's partnership with providers — many of which contract with the state to provide numerous services, not just relative or kinship placement management — will end.

In the July memo, which Bish sent to providers nine days after new two-year contracts to provide the same services took effect, Bish told providers the state would halt new referrals for the services starting Oct. 1 and take over the management of any remaining relative or kinship placements by early 2026.

Nearly 1,600 Nebraska children were in relative or kinship placements as of June 30, though those figures fluctuate daily. Another 1,231 children were in non-relative foster homes.

In their letter to lawmakers earlier this month, providers said the state would offer fewer staff dedicated to supporting those hundreds of families than contractors do.

They said state providers would serve 15 to 25 families — which often include multiple children — while contracted providers typically serve 15 to 22 children.

They said contracted providers, who offer round-the-clock assistance and "are better connected to community resources," are better suited to help families than state employees, who aren't on call overnight.

They warned the move "is not in the best interest of families, children, or even the state’s budget."

And, providers warned, Nebraska's child welfare system will lose the checks and balances inherent in the current model, in which state caseworkers and licensed providers have contact with families.

Soon, HHS alone will care for the families and oversee their cases.

"They do it themselves," said Jim Blue, the president of Cedars Youth Services, a Lincoln-based nonprofit that has been serving children for 78 years. "There's no licensure. There's no accreditation. There's no oversight on the work, and even if their math does add up, what they're cutting out is the quality for our community's kids."

Blue, who has led Cedars for nearly 30 years, said he had lost sleep over the change.

"I've seen a lot in terms of new initiatives by the Department of Health and Human Services," he said, "and this one has me more worried for the kids than any I remember."

Rural Health Transformation Program

Nicole Kauk — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:52:11 GMT

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) are now open for states to apply. Enacted as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the RHTP is a $50 billion program. Funding is to be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year beginning in federal FY26 (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026).

Half of the funding will be evenly distributed to all states with an approved application. The remainder will be awarded to approved states based on individual state metrics and applications that reflect the greatest potential for and scale of impact on the health of rural communities. Applications must come from a state government agency or office and include a letter of endorsement signed by the governor.

There are several key considerations to keep in mind regarding the RHTP:

Application deadline: States have until Nov. 5 to apply, and this will be a one-time application. CMS will announce approved states by Dec. 31 and begin disbursing funds in 2026.

Program goals: The RHTP outlines five strategic goals rooted in the statutorily approved uses of funds:

Make rural America healthy again: Support rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventive health and address root causes of diseases.

Sustainable access: Help rural providers become long-term access points for care by improving efficiency and sustainability.

Workforce development: Attract and retain a highly skilled health care workforce by strengthening recruitment and retention of health care providers in rural communities.

Innovative care: Spark the growth of innovative care models to improve health outcomes, coordinate care and promote flexible care arrangements.

Tech innovation: Foster use of innovative technologies that promote efficient care delivery, data security and access to digital health tools by rural facilities, providers and patients.

States will receive and manage funds: Unlike previous federal relief programs, the RHTP does not provide direct payments to rural providers and clinics. Instead, states must apply for and manage the funds, with CMS approval.

CCBHC-specific considerations: The RHTP specifically directs applying states to provide a current list of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) entities within their state as of Sept. 1, 2025, every active site of care associated with each CCBHC entity, and the address of every active site of care. For applications without this information, CMS will estimate the number of CCBHCs in the state using the most recent list of CCBHCs as maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the list of CCBHCs supported through the Section 223 CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration and through SAMHSA-administered CCBHC Expansion (CCBHC-E) Grants, and State-certified CCBHCs listed on state government websites for states that use other Medicaid authority to designate CCBHCs (such as Medicaid State Plan rehabilitation authority). The addresses of these CCBHCs sites, as available, will be compared to rural area designations using the current HRSA definition of rurality to determine whether a CCBHC is in a rural area.

CMS will host two informational webinars on the RHTP (registration required): this Friday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m. ET and Thursday, Sept. 25, 3 p.m. ET.. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing will also host an informational webinar on the RHTP following these CMS sessions, with a date to be determined.

We will continue to provide updates and information related to the RHTP as they become available. If you have any questions regarding the program or any of the other information detailed here, please reach out to us at Policy@TheNationalCouncil.org.

@National Council for Mental Wellbeing

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-launches-landmark-50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program?mkt_tok=NzczLU1KRi0zNzkAAAGc7gu4c7V16LFyUqJpcxENoD92lzRTh26n6SVNytlkVPuU9X5fXUJt-2eYAnQv1pL2JVz1YjPt0N-J9jEjP_0UDMBAN8kaM-k3S2dFcNqfDBzlow

We Are Moving!

Nicole Kauk — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 16:05:04 GMT

LGBTQ Resources

Nicole Kauk — Thu, 25 May 2023 00:40:08 GMT

As a follow up to the recent news regarding Florida State Bill 1580, ACA has developed and compiled additional resources to support counselors who may be facing practice-related challenges to serving clients who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. These include:

NEW, user-friendly resources that will guide members on how to effectively engage with their state’s attorney general and legislators on issues of interest.
Templates to help you schedule meetings and email your legislators your concerns.
Two new Voice of Counseling podcast episodes that discuss advocacy, transgender equality and allyship; and anti-transgender legislation, laws and legal cases and the counselor’s role in supporting transgender clients.
A collection of ACA statements which reinforce ACA’s stance on policy that does not support the ACA Code of Ethics.

We continue to monitor the more than 1,000 pieces of LGBTQ+ related legislation introduced or pending in 2023 state legislative sessions. A synopsis of those bills is below:

Positive - 200+ bills
Negative - 520+ bills (in 41 states)
Watching - 200+ bills
220+ are specifically anti-transgender, including:
- 125+ gender-affirming care bans
- 45+ sports bans
- 30+ “bathroom” bills
100+ curriculum censorship bills
35+ religious refusals
45+ anti-drag performance bills
Harmful anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed = 48
Harmful anti-LGBTQ+ bills at or approaching the governor’s desk = 22
Pro-LGBTQ+ bills passed = 8
More than 140 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have passed the first chamber of the legislature.

For more information or if you would like to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

Federal Government Awards $1.6 Billion for Communities Addressing Addiction and Overdose

Nicole Kauk — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 00:38:44 GMT

Dear Colleagues,

Last week, the Biden Administration awarded $1.6 billion in funding to address the nation’s worsening addiction and overdose crisis. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will issue funding for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support to four federal programs.

SAMSHA’s State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program will allot formula funding to states to increase access to treatment medications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). SOR will grant $1,439,500,000 to 58 states/territories for prevention and recovery support services. You can find a list of awardees here.

Funding will be awarded to SAMSHA’s Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant programs to increase access to treatment and recovery support services in Tribal communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data shows the deaths by overdose in American Indians and Alaska Natives rose to 75% above the national average. TOR will grant $54,976,150 to 102 Tribal entities to address these concerns. You can find a list of TOR awardees here.

Technical Assistance programs for SOR and TOR will receive $16.6 million in funding for education and training to states that provide free educational resources to communities and individuals. SOR/TOR Technical Assistance programs ensure the provision of evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support programs/services across the SOR/TOR programs.

Lastly, HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will grant $104 million to expand treatment and prevention services in rural areas for substance use disorders (SUD) and OUD. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program is a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality in communities with decreased access to resources.

In 2021, according to the CDC, more than 107,000 people died by overdose. The Biden Administration plans to tackle this growing crisis and these funds will focus on providing evidence-based support and person-centered care.

For any questions, or if you would like to get involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

American Counseling Association

PO Box 31110

Alexandria, VA 22310-9110

(p) 800-298-2276 | (f) 800-473-2329

Medicaid Expansion Update

Nicole Kauk — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 17:44:46 GMT

Since the expansion began:

The number of Nebraskans without health insurance has dropped 14.5%.

Nebraska hospitals saw a $20 million reduction in the amount of charity or unpaid care they had to write off.

Bankruptcy filings in the state fell by 23.5%.

https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/expanded-medicaid-leaves-fewer-nebraskans-without-health-coverage/article_3d9e91e8-38fa-11ed-bdbb-47e8fa6fbef7.html

Healthy Blue Update

Nicole Kauk — Wed, 04 May 2022 17:59:01 GMT

We have reached out to clarify whether Healthy Blue will transition to using POS 10 in the future or not. -Nicole Kauk

Executive Orders Update

Nicole Kauk — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 18:58:34 GMT

Executive orders 21-12 and 21-15 have both been extended until September 30th, 2022, see text here: Executive Order 22-02

Text of Executive Order 21-12

Text of Executive Order 21-15

To request a provisional license under EO 21-12

How to register for NCA without a paypal account

Matthew Mims — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 23:51:43 GMT

A few people have wanted to register for the conference without using a paypal account to pay online. Basically, you just need to go through the registration process and then select "INVOICE ME." You will then be able to pay by check or money order and mail to the address for the association.

Call to ACTION. Advocate for an increase in Medicare Payments for Mental Health

Matthew Mims — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:14:05 GMT

What is your definition of Trauma

Matthew Mims — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:56:05 GMT

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. But we know that it is more than this dictionary definition. Attend our Spring Conference and enrich your skills and knowledge.