We Asked for Help. We Got Budget Cuts.

I’ve been wanting to write this for months, but the words never felt right. After everything that’s happened—and everything we’ve lost—I wasn’t sure how to start. But now, more than ever, I know it’s time to start speaking up again. It’s time to get the word out there.

Recently, Nebraska lost an incredible family—Bailey, Jeremy, and their two boys—who fought tirelessly to raise awareness about mental health. Through their honesty and transparency, they saved countless lives. They spoke out when it was hard. They showed up when it was uncomfortable. They laid the groundwork for so many of us to begin advocating.

And yet, after their loss, I’ve felt completely hopeless. Because the truth is, the system failed them. And it continues to fail millions more.

Bailey and Jeremy left us a solid foundation for advocacy. But we cannot let their loss be in vain. We owe it to them—and to every person still fighting in silence—to pick up where they left off and demand change.

I’m angry. I’m exhausted. I’m tired of the shame, the denial, and the way we pretend this isn’t a crisis. Because it is—and it’s taking the lives of so many.

I haven’t shared much about my battle with mental health. But I can tell you that the system has made it incredibly difficult to get help. The stigma, the costs, the lack of support—it’s overwhelming. And for many, it’s deadly.

A few days ago, I had a conversation with someone who’s never experienced suicidal thoughts. I tried to explain, but I couldn’t find the right analogy. I still haven’t. But this is the closest I can get: Have you ever had a song stuck in your head—one that plays over and over, no matter what you do? Now imagine that, except it’s not a song. It’s a thought telling you you’re better off gone. And instead of 15 minutes, it lasts all day. That’s what suicidal thoughts feel like when I’m not taking care of myself, and they are loud.

I’m here because of treatment. Because of medication. Because I finally got the help I needed. One of my doctors once told me point-blank: “You probably wouldn’t be alive today without your medication.” And I believe them.

My brain doesn’t always produce the right balance of chemicals, and that’s not something I can fix with willpower or fresh air. It’s a medical condition. Just like diabetes. Would you ever tell a Type 1 diabetic to stop taking their insulin? Of course not. Because it’s essential to survival. It’s the same with mental illness. Without proper treatment, the consequences can be fatal.

And yet, we ask people to climb out of darkness—and then slap them with a bill for the ladder. That’s what it feels like when we make people fight for care, navigate endless red tape, or walk away with crushing debt just for trying to survive.

Nebraska’s Mental Health Crisis

Right now, Nebraska is in the middle of a growing mental health crisis, and instead of strengthening resources, our state is cutting them.

In 2024, Nebraska lawmakers approved a $15 million cut to behavioral health services. Region V, which includes Lincoln and surrounding areas, is facing a $3 million reduction, 15% of its entire budget. These cuts mean fewer crisis response teams, fewer mental health professionals, and even longer waitlists for already overwhelmed services.

Add to that the state’s existing shortage of behavioral health providers and the fact that 1 in 5 Nebraskans experience a behavioral health condition each year, and you have a dangerous equation that’s costing lives.

Even now, more than half of those in need of mental health care in Nebraska are not receiving it.

What Is NABHO?

The Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations (NABHO) is a nonprofit coalition advocating for quality, accessible behavioral health and substance use treatment across the state. They work to influence public policy, support providers, and ensure behavioral health remains a priority in Nebraska.

You can learn more or get involved here: nabho.org

How You Can Take Action

This isn’t someone else’s issue. This is our issue. This is our community. These are our people.

Here’s what you can do:

• Contact Your State Legislators: Ask them to reject further behavioral health cuts and reinvest in life-saving services. You can find your senator here: nebraskalegislature.gov/senators

• Support NABHO: Learn more, share their resources, and donate if you’re able. They're actively fighting to protect mental health services in Nebraska.

• Speak Out: Use your voice on social media. Share your story if you feel safe doing so. Challenge misinformation. Normalize medication. Normalize therapy. Normalize asking for help.

• Check on Your People: Even the ones who seem fine. Especially the ones who seem fine.

We’re not going to fix this overnight. But we can’t stay quiet. Bailey and Jeremy didn’t. And neither can we. We have to speak louder. Push harder. And love each other better. Because the next life saved might be someone you know.