Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I get an appointment at CMHC?

Call 402-444-7930 to speak to someone who will help you to determine if you meet criteria and will assist you in scheduling an appointment.

Question: Where can I go for mental health emergency care?

Call “911” for an emergency
24-hour Crisis Line:  402-717-4673 or 402-546-0770
Contact any Hospital Emergency Department
Douglas County CMHC: 402-444-3375

Question: What is the Lasting Hope Recovery Center?

The Lasting Hope Recovery Center is a psychiatric hospital, managed by Alegent Health Systems. Lasting Hope is a 64-bed facility including acute and sub-acute.  Other services include a psychiatric crisis center, community support, intensive outpatient, and other services to create a “one-stop” facility for behavioral health care.

Question: Who is eligible to be treated at CMHC?

Adults age 19 or older, who are residents of Douglas County and/or the Region 6 area, and are uninsured. Services are provided on a sliding scale, based upon income.

Question: What services are provided at CMHC?

Inpatient Services consist of two secure inpatient units, one is a 22-bed unit providing patients with 24-hour observation and therapeutic management and the other is an 8-bed psychiatric intensive care unit providing a higher level of observation and treatment for patients who are experiencing a more severe level of crisis.

Psychiatric Outpatient Program provides psychiatric care to adults on an outpatient basis by a treatment team consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, licensed mental health practitioners and case managers.

Day Treatment Program provides short-term treatment for persons in an acute phase of their mental illness. This program provides a structured environment for persons who have been discharged from an Inpatient Unit and also for Outpatient individuals who require stabilization and management. The program operates from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Mental Health Diversion Program is an intensive case management service provided to individuals with a serious mental illness who are in the criminal justice system. This program assists these individuals to establish independent living skills, manage their mental illness and reduce their contacts with the criminal justice system.

Question: Who can initiate a Board of Mental Health Petition?

Anybody can initiate a Board of Mental Health Petition if they have reason to believe that an individual is mentally ill and dangerous. According to Nebraska law, mentally ill and dangerous is defined as someone who is mentally ill or substance dependent and because of this mental illness or substance dependence presents a “substantial risk of serious harm” to himself/herself or others. The petition is initiated by completing a sworn affidavit at the County Attorney or County Clerk’s office.