News

Contact: Amy Blaser

(COLUMBUS, Neb.) – In the heart of Columbus Community Hospital, a dedicated team is working to
address a quiet crisis affecting many families: the mental health needs of our senior population.
Launched in September 2021, our senior behavioral health service line was established as a direct
response to a glaring community need identified through a comprehensive assessment. This assessment
highlighted that seniors in Columbus and our surrounding communities didn’t have access to the mental
health services they needed.

The reality is, mental health challenges don’t disappear with age; in many cases, they can intensify.
These issues are often exacerbated by life changes such as loss, social isolation and physical health
decline. Yet, a persistent stigma surrounds mental illness in older adults. Many seniors grew up in a time
when mental health struggles were considered shameful — a personal failing rather than a treatable
medical condition. This generational attitude often leads to silence and a reluctance to seek help,
making it incredibly difficult for them to acknowledge their struggles.

This oversight has profound consequences. Senior population suicide rates are high, which is a stark
reminder of the hidden despair many experience. Depression; anxiety; post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD); bipolar disorder; schizophrenia; and even symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, insomnia
and paranoid thinking are common psychiatric disorders that can profoundly impact a senior’s quality of
life. Furthermore, it is a major challenge for families and caregivers to manage behavioral issues related
to dementia, such as aggression, and other disruptive behaviors.

Our senior behavioral health team is here to change this narrative in Columbus and the surrounding
communities. We proudly offer a 24/7 inpatient unit, which provides a safe and therapeutic
environment specifically designed for our patients. This around-the-clock care is supported by 24/7
nursing staff dedicated to seniors’ physical and psychiatric well-being. Our patients meet with a
psychiatric and medical provider daily to ensure they are receiving proper care and medication
management. During the weekdays, our comprehensive team includes experienced social workers, an
activities coordinator who promotes engagement and well-being, and compassionate mental health
therapists providing individualized and group therapies. We also offer nutritionist, occupational therapy
and physical therapy consults as needed. This multidisciplinary approach addresses not just the mental
health symptoms, but also the medical, social and economic factors that often complicate patients’ wellbeing. By offering specialized treatment, we aim to decrease suffering, restore dignity and empower our
seniors to live fuller, more engaged lives. By helping our patients better manage their behaviors and
conditions, we also significantly improve the lives of their families, loved ones and dedicated caregivers
who are often deeply impacted by these challenges.

We believe that every member of our community — especially our elders who have contributed so
much — deserves access to quality mental healthcare without shame or judgment. We are committed
to the well-being of Columbus' senior population, ensuring that we value and attend to their mental
health as much as we do to their physical health.
If you or a loved one are struggling, please know that you are not alone and help is available right here
in your community.
Patients in the senior behavioral health unit must be ages 55 or older. Please call us at 402-562-4655.
Our dedicated team is available for referral calls 24/7.

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Gunner Belz, HMA, RN is the director of the senior behavioral health unit at Columbus Community
Hospital.