The program will partner with Texas State University, which will help lead the training of a new tool that practitioners can use.
AUSTIN, Texas – This week, U.S. House Representative Lloyd Doggett secured $1 million for mental health training throughout Travis County.
The program will be in partnership with Texas State University (TXST), which will help guide the training of a new tool that practitioners can use.
The COVID-19 pandemic helped shine a light on mental health struggles around the world. Whether students, seniors or young people, many began to open up about what they have been through.
Doggett wants to make sure mental health providers aren’t forgotten.
“Many of our mental health providers themselves are stressed by the challenges, the overwhelming challenges they’re dealing with,” Doggett said.
Doggett announced that the federal government will send $1 million as a direct federal allocation to TXST to help launch training for a new database.
In that database will be the information collected over time last year’s community health assessment. Mental health professionals will be able to use the information in that database to better understand the mental health needs of their patients.
“This database will also describe the different social determinants that come into play here. So it’s not just mental health in isolation, it’s about housing, job security, affordability issues,” Doggett said.
The funding will go throughout Travis County – to schools, clinics and other mental health facilities throughout the county.
“A lot of our young people are facing huge challenges, but a lot of families are just trying to meet the affordability challenges out there and provide, as well as some seniors in our community who feel isolated,” Doggett said.
Addressing mental health barriers can help health care professionals across the state.
Texas Hospital Association CEO John Hawkins explained that by continuing to fund projects that address behavioral health, it eventually frees up hospital beds that are needed now.
“Crisis services, substance abuse services, all of these things can help increase behavioral health capacity in our communities,” Hawkins said.
Doggett explained that it is important to take steps now for our next generation and those who will care for them.
“The idea is to help those mental health providers who are in such high demand to be aware of where the problems are, where the resources are to help them meet the needs of their clients or patients,” Doggett said.
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