Keya House

Keya House is low-cost alternative in crisis

The two-story house on South 14th Street has offered more than 75 people a safe haven during emotional crises since it opened in December 2009. The Keya House likely saved taxpayers at least $700,000 in its first 10 months of operation, serving as an alternative to more expensive services such as an emergency room or the Lincoln Crisis Center, said Alan Green, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Nebraska. The house offers an alternative to more traditional medical-oriented crisis services for as many as four people at a time with mental health problems. It is 100 percent consumer-run, -managed and -operated by people who have had mental health diagnoses.

via journalstar.com

Keya House has positive impact in its 1st month

The Keya House has now been open for a month and has already had an impact on Lincoln's emergency psychiatric care system.  During the first 4 weeks, 10 guests stayed at the house, each for 5 days, with one guest returning for a second 5 day stay. All together, this is equal to 55 hospital "bed days."  Each of the guests stated that it was either the Keya House or the hospital, and all had very favorable comments on their stay, including "I can't believe no one followed me around or asked questions if I wanted to go out," and "I really like being able to cook and eat what I want."  During their stay, each guest developed activity goals they worked on each day including learning how to talk to their doctor, and working on their Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). 

Very Favorable Comments on Keya House

Two comments have been posted in response to Nancy Hick's article (LJS 12/29/09) and the TV news cast available on KOLN/KGIN TV website. 

In the Lincoln Journal Star, John writes: 

"Wonderful service. Not only does it seem to be a more appropriate setting for those in need, but I would think it being more of a preventative service would save money in the long run by making more intensive and costly services unneeded."  

On KOLN/KGIN, from England Graham writes:  

"Just touring around the Internet and came across the article featuring the opening of your new establishment. I had a friend who suffered from depression, and we, his many friends, always watched over him, and whilst everything turned out alright in the end, I would imagine that sufferers of Mental Health conditions could often be extremely isolated. Therefore, your new venture should prove invaluable, as are the staff who run it, often selflessly and without the credit that's due to them. It's unfortunate that many people are ignorant of Mental Health conditions, some even choose to be, but maybe this feature will enlighten a few. We can always live in hope! Congratulations, good luck, and very best wishes to your staff and users now and always. Oh, and Happy New Year too. Graham, England U.K."

Lincoln's Keya House a refuge for guests

Lincoln Journal Star’s Nancy Hicks writes a nice introduction for the Keya House (LJS 12/29/09), describing the program as “a refuge, not a clinic.” MHA-NE's Keya House, 2817 S. 14th St., is a peer-run program for adults at least 19 years old with behavioral health diagnoses, who are not in severe crisis and who live in Southeast Nebraska. Click here to read her article.