By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
LINCOLN, Neb. – On Friday, Oct. 10 the Lincoln Regional Center (LRC) will host its 16th Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness. The walk unites individuals with lived experience and care providers in accessing resources in the community. LRC strives to promote accurate information about mental health challenges, uphold individuals as people instead of a diagnosis, and promote mental healthcare and resources for all Nebraskans.
“We walk every year because recovery is a journey of several small milestones leading toward positive change, finding purpose, and improving well-being. Healing is an odyssey of reflection, perseverance, and inner strength as every individual’s quest has different obstacles to overcome,” said Mitchell Bruening, LRC Hospital Administrator for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “At LRC, we take pride in providing treatment to help individuals rebuild their lives.”
This year's theme is “A Pace Odyssey.” The pace of mental health recovery is different for each person. Steps can be forward, backward, or sideways; regardless, no step is a waste. Each movement is a motion toward hope and healing.
“Mental health or well-being is not a destination. It is an everyday quest toward deserving of support tailored to an individual’s needs,” said Dr. Thomas Janousek, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health at DHHS. “The recovery journey does not have to be walked alone. Access to support is available for all Nebraskans seeking compassionate help.”
The LRC is a The Joint Commission (TJC) accredited psychiatric hospital operated by DHHS in Lincoln, Nebraska, for adult patients who face mental health challenges.
The Mental Health Awareness Walk event is at the LRC Building 10 parking lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The walk will start in the parking lot of Building 10. We encourage all Nebraskans interested in raising awareness for mental health to attend. Information on community resources for recovery will also be available.
Resources to help individuals on their recovery journey are available:
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call, text, or chat 988.
- Same Day Scheduling & Walk-In Access services: dhhs.ne.gov/SameDay
- Network of Care: portal.networkofcare.org/NebraskaBehavioralHealth
- Nebraska Family Helpline: (888) 866-8660
- Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258.
- Your licensed healthcare professional, mental health provider, or student health center on campus.