Tag: State Hospitals
In Texas’ Panhandle, a long-awaited oasis for mental health care is springing up
This article was originally published in the Texas Tribune on November 22, 2023. For 24/7 mental health support in English or Spanish, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s free help line at…
As West Texas’ population grows, the need for more mental health care does too
This article was originally published in The Texas Tribune on October 10, 2023. ODESSA — About five years ago, Midland County faced a hard truth: Its jail was full. The swelling was caused in part…
New mental health policy developments to impact the Texas Panhandle
This news clip and accompanying article were published by KFDA News Channel 10 on September 27, 2023. AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) -The 88th legislative session in Texas marked a historic moment for mental health funding. According…
State Hospital Redesign & Inpatient Capacity Expansion: 2017-2023
SUMMARY - Since 2016, the Texas Legislature has invested over $3.6 billion toward developing a modernized state hospital system, informed by data-driven policy guidance provided by the Meadows Institute.
Rural Texas awaits mental health windfall after expanded state investment
This article was published by KXAN on August 20, 2023. AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Across 25,000 square miles of the Texas Panhandle, Nancy Tanner can offer scant help to rural Texans in a worsening crisis. “People…
88th Texas Legislature Regular Session Wrap Up
SUMMARY – The 88th Legislature delivered a record $11.68 billion for behavioral health, an increase of more than 30% from the previous session. Senator Joan Huffman, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, called it...
El Paso County Sheriff Wiles Honored by El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium
Awarded the Consortium Mental Health Champion Award EL PASO – El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles was honored today with the Consortium Mental Health Champion Award for his significant contributions to regional mental healthcare by…
El Paso receives $50 million for expanded mental health care
This article was published by El Paso Matters on June 21, 2023. The El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium Legislative Task Force consists of the El Paso Chamber, El Paso Children’s Hospital, El Paso Psychiatric Center,…
Mental health issues are soaring among Texas children, here’s how doctors are helping
This article was published by The Dallas Morning News on June 12, 2023. Abigail McGowan went numb the day after the music stopped. The drum major and French horn player helped lead the Anna High…
Blaming mass shootings on mental health is oversimplifying a complex problem, experts say
This article was published by WFAA on May 24, 2023. DALLAS — Each time it happens, Texas’s top leaders point the finger at one thing: mental illness. And it’s happened a lot. In 2017, 26…
New jail program would help mentally ill inmates get well enough to stand trial
This article was published by the San Antonio Report on April 3, 2023. Some of the roughly 300 inmates in Bexar County’s jail who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial could benefit from a…
In the Hill Country, a new state psychiatric unit stays empty while waitlists swell
This article was published by the Houston Chronicle on February 21, 2023. KERRVILLE – Overlooking the Guadalupe River in this bucolic city northwest of San Antonio, the sleek new facility at the Kerrville State Hospital…
Texas House Appropriations Committee
SUMMARY - On February 15, President and CEO Andy Keller, PhD, provided invited testimony before the Texas House Appropriations Committee in a hearing on behavioral health funding for the 2024-25 biennium.
87th Texas Legislature Regular Session Wrap Up
SUMMARY - Throughout what was a challenging and, at times, divisive legislative session, one area of full agreement among state leaders was that mental health continues to be paramount to Texas’ present and future.
86th Regular Legislative Session Wrap Up
SUMMARY - From a mental health perspective, the 86th Legislative Session was one of the most significant in recent memory.
86th Legislature Regular Session Behavioral Health Appropriations
SUMMARY - An overview of appropriations to mental and behavioral health made by the 86th Texas Legislature. From a mental health perspective, the 86th Legislative Session was one of the most significant in recent...
Texas Senate Committee on Health & Human Services – SB 2111
On April 16, 2019, MMHPI President and CEO Andy Keller, PhD, was invited testimony at the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. Senate Bill 2111, relating to the Health and Human Services Commission...
Texas Senate Committee on Finance – SB 500
On March 11, 2019, John Petrila, JD, MMHPI Vice President of Adult Policy, was invited testimony on SB 500 at the Texas Senate Committee on Finance. Senate Bill 500 was an appropriations bill filed...
State Hospital System
General Overview The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) manages nine state-owned mental health facilities and one state-owned inpatient residential treatment facility for adolescents. These 10 facilities, collectively referred to as state hospitals, are…