75. A Conversation on Nebraska Mental Health with Annette Dubas

In this episode, we sit down with Annette Dubas, Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations (NABHO), to explore the challenges and opportunities facing mental and behavioral health in Nebraska. Annette shares insights into NABHO’s mission to build alliances and advocate for improved access and capacity across the state. We discuss the impact of state provider rates, regulatory changes, and managed care on behavioral health services, as well as the critical role of storytelling in educating newly elected Senators. From workforce development to telehealth advancements and updates on Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), this episode dives deep into the intersection of public policy and mental health. Don't miss this engaging conversation on how mental health connects the dots with corrections, education, and beyond.In this episode, you will be able to:Understand the key challenges in the behavioral health system and how to address them effectively.Learn effective advocacy strategies to drive positive change in the Nebraska mental health system.Explore the impact of term limits on mental health policy and potential solutions to mitigate their effects.Discover actionable implementation strategies for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) in Nebraska.Gain insights into effective management strategies for behavioral health organizations to enhance their impact and sustainability.The key moments in this episode are:00:00:02 - Introduction to Behavioral Health Advocacy00:03:07 - Meeting Annette and NAVHO00:08:33 - Advocacy and Issues Faced by NAVHO00:11:26 - Challenges of Term Limits00:12:51 - Specialization in Legislation00:13:51 - Crisis Management and Legislation00:15:04 - Navigating Legislative Challenges00:17:10 - Membership and Advocacy00:19:03 - Addressing Statewide Behavioral Health Needs00:20:50 - Legislative Priorities and Advocacy Efforts00:26:55 - Building Alliances in Behavioral Health Community00:28:57 - Redesigning Mental Health System00:29:35 - Impact of Legislative Work00:30:31 - Recovering Politician Self-Care Policy00:31:51 - Conclusion and Call to Action Links:https://nabho.org/who-we-are/Connect with us: https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartnershttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GYpqiyRoPx4