Local News
Current news regarding health & resilience in Williamson, Travis, Hays, Comal, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Bexar Counties in Central Texas.
Hill Country nonprofit to manage Comal County mental health facility
A regional nonprofit will manage Comal County’s planned $8.75 million mental health facility, the county commission decided on Thursday.
FROM: New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung
Travis County to launch $23 million project to keep mentally ill from jail
Next month, mentally ill individuals accused of committing minor crimes will be “diverted” to a new 25-bed facility instead of jail cells in Travis County.
FROM: The Texas Tribune
Police, fire, EMS, or mental health? SAPD considers 4th option for 911 callers
APD and City of San Antonio officials say they have been discussing adding “mental health” to the traditional police, fire, and emergency medical services options 911 callers get.
FROM: KSAT
Together We Heal: Exploring Mental Health Peer Support at the Library
The Jarrell Community Library offers many different types of support to people, including mental health, learning, and domestic violence programs.
FROM: OCLC.org
How a Round Rock student-led nonprofit is addressing homelessness
A group of Round Rock high schoolers launched a nonprofit to aid students experiencing homelessness, the organization has expanded its reach to help aid families struggling with food and housing security districtwide.
FROM: KXAN
As more students seek mental health services, college counseling centers struggle to hire staff.
Texas colleges and universities are struggling to keep up with the demand for mental health services amid a statewide shortage of care providers.
FROM: Texas Community Health News
Austin City Council to add new positions to help hate crime victims
An ordinance for the new roles was approved Feb. 15 during a city council meeting.
FROM: KVUE
Hays County Commissioners Court approves creation of new Behavioral Health Program
The Hays County Commissioners Court recently approved the creation of a behavioral health coordinator position within the Hays County Health Department. The is the first position created by the county to address mental health and substance abuse outside of the criminal justice system.
FROM: Hays County
Eligibility changes expand access to veteran assistance in Williamson County
Changes to grant funding criteria have expanded access to financial assistance for veterans and their families in Williamson County.
FROM: Community Impact
Central Health opens new specialty care clinic for low-income patients in East Austin
Central Health, Travis County’s hospital district for low-income residents, opened a new specialty care clinic in January.
FROM: Community Impact
Inpatient behavioral treatment unit for teens opens in Williamson County
In response to the rapid increase in behavioral health crises in Texas, there is a new inpatient health center for Williamson county teens.
FROM: KXAN
Rock Springs opens $10M adolescent mental health unit in Georgetown
Rock Springs, a mental health and substance abuse treatment facility in Georgetown, celebrated the opening of a new 24-bed unit for adolescents ages 13-17 on Jan. 31.
FROM: Community Impact
Texas Children's Hospital North Austin Campus Set to Open State-of-the-Art Facility
Nation's Largest and Top-Ranked Pediatric and Women's Hospital Celebrates First Hospital for Central Texas Families with Ribbon Cutting
FROM: PR Newswire
TAMU launches new program to boost rural healthcare
The initiative is a two-year program funded by the state with $7.5 million per year.
FROM: KXXV
From not walking to climbing mountains: Austin man shares experience recovering from stroke to help others
After going from not being able to walk to climbing a mountain in less than a year, Phillip Engle wants to show people firsthand what's possible after a stroke.
FROM: KVUE
Is improving your mental health a resolution? Try gardening
Several studies have shown that gardening can help mental health.
FROM: KSAT
Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest Seeking Entries
The 2024 Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest is accepting entries from all age groups in original artwork, writing and photography. The submission deadline is March 1.
FROM: Texas Health & Human Services
Texas teen birth rates rise for first time in 15 years
In 2022, the teen birth rate in Texas rose for the first time since 2007. Some researchers believe it could be because of the abortion ban, although it is not entirely clear.
FROM: Spectrum News
Fund created to help South Bend family after deadly fire
After a housefire killed 5 children, the Smith Family Memorial Fund was created to support the grieving family.
FROM: WSBT
SAPD Mental Health Unit Expanding as a Resource
The San Antonio Police Department consists of many divisions and specialized units; one of them is dedicated to mental health support and services.
FROM: FOX San Antonio