Kerr County’s Rapid Mental Health Needs Assessment
SUMMARY – In the devastating aftermath of the July 4, 2025, floods, Kerr County and other affected Hill County communities faced urgent and emerging mental health needs. Neighbors, first responders, faith leaders, schools, clinicians, and volunteers stepped forward immediately, reflecting the community’s extraordinary compassion and strength. But the scale of trauma and grief also required clear guidance for where additional support could make the greatest difference.
The Meadows Institute, with the generous support of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the H.E. Butt Foundation, conducted a rapid mental health needs assessment to identify clear, actionable recommendations for philanthropic investment, including trauma and grief training needs. The final document offers a practical framework to help guide near-term investments that support recovery, expand access to care, and strengthen the community’s long-term resilience.
Project Details
The Meadows Institute worked with local leaders and community partners to understand Kerr County’s mental health landscape before and after the floods. The assessment looked at existing services, barriers to care, projected increases in trauma- and grief-related needs, and the types of support residents, providers, schools, faith leaders, first responders, and bereaved families may need as recovery continues.
The assessment identified four main areas for investment:
- Awareness and navigation supports: Help community members understand mental health needs, available services, and where to turn for help
- Trauma and grief capacity: Equip parents, caregivers, schools, clinicians, faith leaders and trusted community leaders to identify and respond to trauma and grief
- Community access points: Increase access to mental health care through local providers, telehealth options, schools, faith-based organizations, and other trusted settings
- Specialized care: Provide targeted support for those most directly affected by the floods, including bereaved families, first responders, clinicians, school staff, and faith leaders
To read the full assessment, click here.