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Nebraska's largest children's hospital has opened a youth-focused behavioral health care facility on its campus in Omaha.

Children's Nebraska is the first in the state to offer walk-in services for people age 20 and younger, and is among the leaders in the nation to offer this range of services on a single campus.

At least 10 percent of Nebraska high school-age youth reported attempting suicide in the past year, according to the state Health and Human Services Department.

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Acute Behavioral Health Services Director Amy Pugsley said professionals at the new Children's Nebraska center in Omaha can offer an immediate on-site crisis assessment and respond with the appropriate level of care.

"It's this blend of that behavioral health urgent care," said Pugsley. "So, someone can really come in with a self-defined crisis, just like if you were taking your kiddo to an urgent care visit for a medical reason."

Pugsley said at that point, the clinical assessment team can evaluate the child and determine if they need in-patient or outpatient treatment, family therapy, or on-the-spot counseling that could allow them to return home the same day.

The $114 million facility was funded by donor contributions and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 following the COVID pandemic.

Pugsley said Children's Nebraska offers a unique continuum of care that allows kids with behavioral health issues to find help – even if they're not admitted to the hospital – in its crisis stabilization unit.

"We have therapists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, nurses, behavioral health tech specialists and peer support specialists," said Pugsley, "that are all working as a team to help them in that moment."

She added that the continuum of care that includes crisis stabilization and urgent care is brand new in the state of Nebraska.