House panel warns of "peril" in Texas mental health system
If Texas doesn't take bolder steps to fix its mental health system, the consequences could be perilous for the state, a House committee report warned Thursday.
The 109-page report by the Texas House Select Committee on Mental Health, released just days before the start of this year's legislative session, outlines challenges and opportunities for the state in tackling issues troubling the system such as patient access to mental and behavioral health services; increasing the number of beds available in state hospitals; early intervention for schoolchildren with behavioral health issues; investing in jail diversion programs; and beefing up the state's mental health workforce.
House Speaker Joe Straus said in a news release that the report "will give the House valuable guidance."
"The opportunity to improve our mental health system this year is real and it's important," Straus said. "A smarter approach to mental health will improve treatment and care while saving taxpayers money."
Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/05/house-panel-warns-peril-texas-mental-health/
