The Lincoln Vital Signs supplemental report, “Behavioral Health Trends in Lincoln,” is available here.

The supplement to the Lincoln Vital Signs reports of 2014 and 2015 compiles information about people with mental health and/or substance abuse needs. It offers insights into current trends in Nebraska-funded behavioral health clients, homelessness and police interactions.

The need for the report was highlighted over the past two years as people requested information about behavioral health trends at Lincoln Vital Signs presentations. Data from the supplemental report, co-authored by Nancy Shank and Stacey Hoffman of the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, will be incorporated into the next Lincoln Vital Signs report, slated for spring 2017.

To compile the supplement, the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Community Foundation, Region V Systems, the university’s Center on Children, Families and the Law, and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center successfully collaborated on a proposal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, through a sub-award to Michigan State University. The Lincoln Vital Signs Advisory Committee helped shape the report’s final content and formatting.

Participating Organizations included the Abel Foundation, City of Lincoln, Community Health Endowment, Cooper Foundation, Educare of Lincoln, Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, Lancaster County, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, Lincoln Community Foundation, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County, University of Nebraska Foundation and Woods Charitable Fund.