Region 1 Behavioral Health representatives meet with county commissioners

SIDNEY, Neb. — Representatives from Region 1 Behavioral Health Authority met with Cheyenne County commissioners earlier this week to discuss the organization's work in the county.

Sue Teal, director of emergency services, and Brandi Brunz, justice systems coordinator, attended the December 2 meeting to explain what Region 1 Behavioral Health Authority is and how it operates in Cheyenne County.

Brunz said they were in Sidney to provide an overview of Region 1’s role and funding allocation. Teal explained that Region 1 contracts with mental health service providers across the Panhandle, working with three agencies in Cheyenne County: Karuna Counseling, Cirrus House, and Mental Health Alliance. Each agency provides specific services.

"Mental Health Alliance offers medication management, Cirrus House provides case management and youth services, and Karuna Counseling offers mental health and substance abuse outpatient services. We also have crisis response services," Teal said. "Since crisis response falls under my role, I oversee that. We have three providers for crisis response throughout the Panhandle."

The Scottsbluff crisis response team serves Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Cheyenne, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, and Banner counties, Teal said. Another crisis response team, based in Chadron, covers Dawes and Sheridan counties. Teal noted that the Chadron team is facing staffing challenges, so the Scottsbluff team helps cover those counties as well.

Teal also highlighted a grant Region 1 secured to provide tablet computers for law enforcement.

"With the grant, we were able to get tablets for law enforcement. Region 1 covers the cost, and officers can use Telehealth to connect with patients," Teal said. "While face-to-face is preferable, it's not always feasible given the size of the area we cover. Our providers are contracted and work full-time jobs, but their employers are very supportive."

Teal and Brunz work closely with law enforcement and county attorneys, and Brunz plans to begin meeting with judges. Brunz also discussed the 988 hotline, which replaced the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in July 2022.

"By switching to 988, it's easier for people in crisis to dial the new number instead of the old 800 line," Brunz said. "Each state was tasked with setting up its own system. Nebraska received a grant to establish a call center in Omaha through Boys Town, which has led to several changes in the state's crisis response."

For more information on Regional 1 Behavioral Health Authority, see https://region1bhs.socs.net/vnews/display.v/StaffDirectory?sd=625f1e034601f