By Paxton DeVault OMAHA, Neb.- Douglas County is taking a major step forward in improving access to mental health services. Construction is underway on a brand-new $20 million adult mental health facility near 42nd and Woolworth Street — a project county leaders say has been years in the making.
The two-story building will feature six inpatient beds and a full range of outpatient services, offering care in a space designed to prioritize dignity and recovery.
Douglas County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson, who has long advocated for mental health reform, says this new facility represents a long-awaited change in how care is provided.
“For many, many years, I’ve tried to find ways to basically lift it out of the building and place it in a different location,” Borgeson said.
Previously, mental health services were offered inside a long-term care center on the county campus — an arrangement Borgeson says was far from ideal.
“The nursing home is where people live, and that’s where they should be able to have an environment that’s home-like,” she said.
With funding from the American Rescue Plan, the county was finally able to move forward with the project. Borgeson says the plan has received strong community support, with residents recognizing the need for more mental health resources.
For Gabriella Arellano, a local mother who has faced her own challenges with mental health, the new facility represents hope for more accessible and timely care.
“I have struggled with mental health for quite some time,” Arellano said. “I think with the new facility, that’s going to open up more opportunities for people to get help and not have a waitlist.”
Arellano says losing both her parents in recent years made her mental health journey especially difficult — and she hopes others will find the support she once struggled to access.
Once completed, the new center will operate as an independent agency, marking a new chapter on Douglas County’s approach to mental health care.
The facility is scheduled to open at the end of 2026, serving as a cornerstone for expanded mental health resources across the community.
Residents can stay updated on the project’s progress through the Douglas County Board of Trustees and County Board meetings.
Leave feedback about this