Government
BY HALEY MCLEOD
Youth mental health crisis center opens Integral Care and Travis County officials celebrated Aug. 23 the opening of the county’s first youth crisis respite center in the Mueller area within the SAFE Alliance headquarters, a nonprofit that provides shelter and services for victims of abuse. The mental health program for ages 13-17 offers an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization, said Marlene Buchanan, the director of systems of care at Integral Care. She said this service helps fill the need for intermediate care. Individuals can stay up to 10 days, with an average stay of five days expected, according to Integral Care. The facility provides on-site support from professional therapists and case managers, and family therapy sessions to support recovery and family reunification. Buchanan said Integral Care hopes to serve up to 75 teens annually.
Put in perspective
Signs to watch Parents can be proactive in their child’s mental health by knowing some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for, such as:
Mental Health America data indicates Texas has consistently ranked among the worst states for mental health care. When considering both youth and adults, Texas exhibits a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rate of access to care. Texas has the fifth-lowest number of mental health treatment centers in the nation, according to a recent study by Forbes. Texas Health and Human Services lists Texas among the top four states with extensive mental health care personnel shortages. A THHS behav- ioral health task force recent report confirmed that the behavioral health landscape tracks with national trends regarding an increased need for services and a shortage of providers. More than 1.2 million, or roughly 20%, of all Texas youth under 17 have reported a mental, emotional, behavioral or developmental problem, according to advocacy group Every Texan.
Problems with concentration, memory or ability to think clearly
Changes in appetite, sleep or how they dress
Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or worthless
Angry outbursts, irritability or restlessness
Not wanting to be around people or take part in activities
If a child is experiencing a mental health crisis, support can be accessed by calling Integral Care at 512-472-4357 . More information is available at www.bit.ly/3APN9eO.
SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Next steps
Integral Care received state funding from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to cover the two-year pilot program, and anticipates the mental health respite facility and program will cost just over $1 million annually to maintain and operate. The organization hopes to expand the program in future years to support services for younger age groups, Buchanan said.
The facility
Integral Care youth crisis respite center
$1M annual operating cost
10
beds for teens ages 13-17
CREEKWOOD RD.
24/7 supervised support and safe space
N
SOURCE: INTEGRAL CARE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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