Explore the Data

Behavioral Health Admissions

Mental health disorders are the most common diagnosis for persons entering behavioral health services

The state of Nebraska and local communities are responsible for delivering services to persons with severe and persistent behavioral health needs who are unable to pay for them. In Lincoln, Nebraska-funded services are paid for by the State of Nebraska, Lancaster County, behavioral health providers’ charitable donations or other underwriting, and donors.

When persons enter into any type of service, they are admitted. People may be admitted to multiple services simultaneously. Persons admitted may have a primary diagnosis of mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder. A co-occurring disorder is one that involves both mental health and substance abuse. When individuals have a co-occurring disorder, treatments that address both are associated with lower costs and better outcomes.¹⁶

• Among persons receiving Nebraska-funded services in 2021:
• 49% had a mental health disorder.
• 36% had a substance use disorder.
• 15% had a co-occurring disorder.
• Since 2016, the prevalence of mental health disorders at time of admission (not co-occurring) have increased by 20 percentage points, while the prevalence of substance use disorders (not co-occurring) have decreased by 17 percentage points.

Footnotes

16.  Minkoff, K. (2001). Developing standards of care for individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Psychiatric Services, 52(5), 597-599.