Laura Slocum

Laura Slocum is an accomplished mental health professional with 20 years of experience transforming crisis systems, mental health response, and justice sector integration. As the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s Senior Director of Crisis Systems Transformation, Laura leads the specialty healthcare team’s crisis system portfolio, improving crisis intervention protocols and outcomes. For example, she champions and guides the development and implementation of person-centered policies, triage tools, and training programs aimed at enhancing crisis response in 911 call centers across the nation. Additionally, Laura collaborates with academic institutions to better understand the experiences of people who call 911 during a mental health emergency, contributing to evidence-based practices in crisis response. Laura is a subject matter expert for crisis systems across many of the Institute’s projects, guiding both internal teams and external partners in developing innovative solutions to complex behavioral health challenges. Her work improves both the identification and management of mental health crises, ensuring that people in crisis receive timely, appropriate care. 

Laura came to the Institute from Integral Care, where she held multiple leadership positions, including Practice Administrator of Crisis Services and Justice Initiatives. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Laura holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University. She has been recognized for her leadership in the field, earning prestigious awards such as the Senator Kirk P. Watson Public Service Award and the NAMI Austin John and Kitty Holman Award. In addition to her professional work, Laura is a sought-after speaker at national conferences, regularly presenting on topics related to crisis intervention, mental health, and justice system initiatives.