Behavioral health leaders are entering the new year with a shared sense of urgency and a renewed commitment to transforming how care is delivered, funded and supported. From strengthening the continuum of care to building virtual reality programs for youth and expanding rural access for older adults, these are the long-term strategies leaders are centering in 2026.
Editor’s note: These responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Question: As you plan for 2026, what is the most critical behavioral health priority you are aligning leadership, capital and operations around?
Brett Cohen. President and Chief Executive Officer of Recovery Centers of America (King of Prussia, Pa.): As we move into 2026, our highest priority is twofold: aligning leadership, resources and operations around providing safe, accessible care with industry-leading outcomes, while investing in the people who deliver that care. At Recovery Centers of America, we believe patients, families and communities deserve treatment that is evidence-based, consistent and accountable to meaningful, real-world outcomes. In the year ahead, we are focused on strengthening our full continuum of care, breaking down barriers to access, and continuously improving how we support sustained recovery while reducing stigma around addiction and mental health.
Equally important is our continued investment in the people who make that care possible every day. Clinical excellence is only achievable when teams are supported by a strong culture and a work environment that prioritizes safety, collaboration and professional growth. By aligning leadership and operations around both outcomes and culture, we are building a system that delivers high-quality care today and remains resilient, effective, and patient-centered for the future of addiction and mental health treatment.
J.R. Greene. Founder and Chairman of Board of Directors at Psychiatric Medical Care (Brentwood, Tenn.): Every year, nearly four million Americans turn 65, yet our healthcare system continues to underprioritize the mental health needs of older adults. Depression, anxiety, grief and social isolation are not inevitable parts of aging, but too often they go unrecognized and untreated. This is especially true in rural and underserved communities, where many older adults struggle silently, and the consequences extend beyond emotional suffering to increased hospitalizations, higher medical costs, caregiver strain and diminished quality of life. Addressing older adult mental health in rural areas is not only a clinical imperative, but it is a moral and community responsibility that directly impacts the sustainability of rural and critical access hospitals and the well-being of the communities they serve.
Psychiatric Medical Care is committed to expanding our Senior Life Solutions programs. These are intensive outpatient programs focused on supporting rural communities, which provide therapy and psychiatric treatment to older adults. In 2026, PMC will invest heavily in creating strong hospital partnerships to reach more older adults who desperately need mental health services. We’re refocusing development efforts, evaluating operations, and considering new capital investments to bring Senior Life Solutions to more rural hospitals with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for older adults, and ensuring that no one is left behind simply because of their age or geography.
Renee Rafferty. Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health and Wellness at Children’s Nebraska (Omaha): The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska nears its long-awaited opening in January 2026, and this innovative facility will provide the full spectrum of pediatric behavioral and mental healthcare for youth and their families. We’re at the precipice of an incredible expansion of care, and that requires strong community partnerships to increase access and awareness of services for the children and families who need it most.
Using the latest innovative technology through a transformative $5.5 million grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, Children’s is building clinical curriculum with a focus on virtual reality in the behavioral healthcare setting. By developing pathways for education using VR therapy to expand clinical support, our expert team will lead patients to practice emotional regulation and build coping skills and social skills to decrease stress and anxiety.
