Legislation could expand mental, behavioral health crisis services: The legislation, if eventually passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the president, would offer Medicare payments for crisis stabilization to those experiencing behavioral health problems with coverage for up to 23 hours of observation and supervised care, suicide and violence risk screening and physical health assessments in a hospital or crisis facility.
Terrell State Hospital Replacement Project Set to Transform Mental Health Care in Texas: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has announced an ambitious $400 million project to construct a new state-of-the-art replacement hospital for Terrell State Hospital.
New Diversion Center in Hidalgo County to help people with mental health crises: With funding from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and support from Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios, Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra and Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala, the new center will serve as an alternative location for law enforcement to place adults with mental illness or co-occurring disorders who are at risk of arrest yet don’t meet the criteria for acute mental health crisis.
The challenges defendants with severe mental illness face: Some defendants can spend months in jail before they are deemed competent by a mental health professional to stand trial. If the defendant is not found to be competent, they are usually sent to a state psychiatric facility until they can meet the legal standard.
Burleson County Sheriff's Office seeks to expand crisis intervention team: The Crisis Intervention Team started in 2020 when county leaders recognized the need for specialized mental health response.