BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
What they’re saying
coworkers, everybody.” The problem is further exacerbated when people are unsure of what resources are available to address behavioral health needs, Bickford said. “[It’s] a perfect storm; lack of information, stigma that prevents people from being open about nding what they need,” he said. “Even if you have information, you may not be able to get in to see somebody for six months.”
Despite growing access to resources locally, Bickford said one of the biggest challenges in behavioral health is ghting the stigma. Mahan said stigma, such as a fear of being judged, can cause people to delay pursuing treatment for behavioral health conditions. “It’s really hard for parents to say, ‘Hey, I think my child is mentally ill,’” she said. “There is a lot of judgment on parents, from neighbors,
"There’s a lot of pressure and stigma … to not admit that there’s an issue so people wait until things are really, really bad [to seek help]," TAMMY MAHAN, LIFEPATH SYSTEMS CEO
Diving deeper
Looking ahead
Lifepath Systems’ model eliminates nancial barriers, as the organization provides care at reduced costs and for those without insurance. “We’re not looking for people … that are able to pay,” Mahan said. “We’re here to make sure people are getting the care they need in the least restric- tive setting.” Mahan said the organization also works to address behavioral health needs quickly using resources such as telehealth psychiatrists. Seeing a psychiatrist or behavioral health provider that quickly is often not possible through other health care systems, Mahan said. “If somebody comes in today, we try to get them on an appointment with a doctor today so that they don’t end up in a hospital tomorrow,” Mahan said.
About 271,500 Collin County residents have mental health issues, with nearly 55,000 of those individuals having a serious mental illness, according to data from a 2022 pro le of Collin County’s behavioral health from the Coalition for Behavioral Healthcare in Collin County. Lifepath Systems has seen year-over-year growth in people served for behavioral health care needs. Mahan said the organization treats repeat patients but is more frequently treating new patients. People seeking treatment are also requir- ing higher levels of care due to the rising intensity of behavioral health conditions, she said. “Collin County is growing so fast [and] … because so many people are moving here, there’s this constant new population,” Mahan said.
Both of the new facilities will have room for expansion in the future. Mahan said she expects the new Lifepath Systems facility will serve the needs of the community for the next ve to eight years. The completed facility will include about 12,000 square feet of undeveloped space for future programming. The Collin Springs facility is also designed to be expandable to allow for up to additional 24-beds, Lifepoint Health Director of Construction Corbin Clinage said.
Finding resources
Lifepath Systems
Total served at Lifepath Systems by need Lifepath Systems provided services to over 17,000 individuals in 2023.
The Crisis Hotline is a 24/7 hotline sta ed by trained behavioral health
professionals. 877-422-5939
Behavioral health Early childhood intervention Intellectual and developmental disabilities
Here for Texas
20,000
Here for Texas o ers a free online database of mental health providers and resources. www.herefortexas.com
2,672
2,889
15,000
3,913
2,728
1,626 2,413 9,476
4,162
Collin Cares
11,432
10,000
8,545 2,247
This initiative of Texas Health Resources and the Assistance Center of Collin County o ers a searchable directory of service providers in Collin County. www.collincares.org
9,023
5,000
SOURCES: COALITION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IN COLLIN COUNTY, GRANT HALLIBURTON FOUNDATION, LIFEPATH SYSTEMS COMMUNITY IMPACT
0
2021
2022
2023
2020
SOURCE: LIFEPATH SYSTEMS COMMUNITY IMPACT
23
MCKINNEY EDITION
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