Mental Health
Mental Health in Texas—Where we Are:
• 2003- Total cost of mental illness in Texas: $16.6 billion
• 3.1 million Texas adults and 1.2 million children have a diagnosable mental illness.
• Mental illnesses and addictive disorders can be prevented or managed with proper care; however, Texas ranks 48th in the nation on mental health services spending.
• Only 57% of Texas children who need mental health services receive them.
Many individuals cannot afford mental health services, which lack reimbursement schedules equal to physical health services. A statewide shortage of mental health services creates a substantial barrier to care, as do cultural and social stigmas. As a result of the lack of funding and services in the mental health system, many entering the Texas criminal justice system have mental health illnesses.
Texas Health Institute Initiatives:
In 2003, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration selected Texas as one of eight states to receive an infrastructure grant for the creation of mental health transformation demonstration projects. Texas Health Institute is collaborating with communities and the State of Texas to develop solutions policy-makers can implement to significantly improve the mental health system. For more information on the Institute’s Mental Health Projects and capabilities specific to mental health, please go to the project summaries below:
• Mental Health Transformation (MHT) • Community Collaboratives
• New Connections for Student Supports
• Consumer Voice
• Youth Voice
• Community Based Participation Research
Project News:
• “Promising Practices in Serving Children With Complex Behavioral Health Needs and Their Families: System of Care in Texas” October 19, 2010
- Agenda
Gary M. Blau, PhD, Champions for Childrens Mental Health, Systems of Care, A Health Care Reform Strategy Part 1, Part 2
Mike Maples, Assistant Commissioner, DSHS, Systems of Care in Mental Health
Texas Panel: Promising Practices in serving with complex behavioral health needs and their families Systems of Care in Texas Part 1 Part 2
• Seminar on Mental Health Crisis in Medical Settings. Do you know what to do? - December 8, 2009. Nacogdoches, TX
• MHT Community Collaboratives Newsletters
• MHT Community Collaborative Project Updates - Quarterly Meeting 2009
� Bexar County � Llano Estacado � Nacodoches � Tarrant County � Williamson County � Costal Bend
• 2009 Collaborative Site Visit Summary
• Presentations of the Community Collaborative Quarterly Meetings held in Austin TX - September 10-11, 2009
Bexar County Community Collaborative
Nacogdoches County Community Collaborative
Coastal Bend Community Collaborative
Tarrant County Community Collaborative
Center For Healthcare Services
Policy Briefs/Publications:
2009 MHT Consumer Voice Report The ABCs of School Mental Health ; Involving Consumers in the Mental Health Care System ; Children's Mental Health Care in Texas:A Guide to Policy Issues and State Services , Children's Mental Health Care in Texas: Needs, Services and Funding ; Children's Mental Health
Mental Health Transformation Community Collaborative Toolkit
Resources/Links:
US Department of Health & Human Services - Health Resources and Services Administration
Mission Possible Brochure XV: Advancing the Benefits of Change
NACo Criminal Justice Retreat
Texas Childrens Mental Health Forum by Texans Care for Children
If you would like additional information on THI Mental Health Transformation program efforts, please contact Susan Griffin at 512-279-3919 or email Susan .
