Texans are feeling the pinch when it comes to rising mental health care needs nationwide. The problem is systemic, with 246 of Texas’s 254 counties being wholly or partially designated as “mental health professional shortage areas” by the federal government. From lack of access to increased need and increased costs, Texans face a monumental challenge.
In 2022, less than 85% of the 380,000 988 suicide hotline calls made in the State of Texas were answered inside the state. And the more a 988 caller is transferred in and out of the state, the more likely he or she will hang up before being connected with the support of a counselor, reports KXXV 25. Between January and August, over 18,500 calls were abandoned.
“To fully implement the text and chat component into the state’s 988, the state would need to at least double the number of crisis counselors across the entire system. The need for mental health support in Texas is greater than it’s ever been,” reports KXXV. However, the federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is set to expire in 2026.
With states potentially left to pick up the tab by next year, who is answering the call?
Community-driven grassroots solutions are emerging to meet these unprecedented mental healthcare needs in Texas.
The Current Landscape of Mental Health Care in Texas
Texas ranks last (51 out of 51) in access to mental healthcare, according to the 2024 Mental Health America report.*
Mental Health America used several key indicators to rank each state, including:
- Adults with serious mental illness who are uninsured or can’t afford care
- Youth not receiving any mental health services
- Lack of mental health coverage under private insurance
- Inadequate mental health workforce availability
The frustration, confusion, and gaps in the system have led to Texans facing perhaps the biggest mental health crisis since the state began tracking its mental health data.
Traditional Systems in Texas are Overwhelmed
The Texas Tribune reports that one Texas mother of three, Elizabeth Ramirez, found herself stuck when trying to find professional support for her son, Orlando. She was contacted by her son’s school when he made mention of suicide. But when Ramirez went to find professional support for her son, none of the four nearest inpatient psychiatric facilities had room for her son. In desperation, she began checking with more and more clinics and was either told they were full or that she should wait for a call back. But those calls never came.
The Ramirez family isn’t the only one faced with the dilemma of a confusing system and a lack of available support. Many Texans are falling through the cracks or giving up looking for life-changing support altogether.
The Rise of Grassroots and Community-Based Support in Texas
While Texans are experiencing an increased need in mental health support and facing a system that is unable to meet those needs, others are rising to the occasion. Texas has experienced a boom in grassroots response.
BE-OK is proud to join hundreds of nonprofits, programs, and initiatives meeting the need for improving mental health. These organizations are highlighting culturally aware, low-barrier options that make it easier for Texans to connect to the mental health resources they so desperately need.
The Shift in Mental Health Care Matters
With mental health making it to the mainstream, here are a few ways change is happening:
- Online directories like the BE-OK resource hub, helping more individuals connect with the help they need so that they receive support sooner.
- Normalizing peer support groups as a complementary component to the mental health journey.
- Equipping mental health professionals with ongoing training and support, ensuring they are able to meet the increasing need.
Want to answer the call? Support local groups like BE-OK, share the BE-OK resource hub, or volunteer with local community mental health initiatives. Together, let’s make sure every Texan in need finds the help and resources they deserve.