AUSTIN, Texas – In a major step to address the state’s mental health crisis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday a $34 million investment to build a new cutting-edge behavioral health treatment center.
The facility, to be located in Austin, aims to expand access to high-quality mental health and substance abuse services for Texans across the state.
“The mental health challenges facing our state are profound, and we are taking decisive action to support Texans in need,” Governor Abbott said at the press conference unveiling the plans.
This new facility will be a beacon of hope, healing, and recovery for countless individuals and families.
Expanding Treatment Capacity
The new 240-bed behavioral health center, expected to open in 2026, will significantly increase the state’s inpatient psychiatric capacity which has long faced shortages.
It will provide a full continuum of care for adults, including:
- Inpatient psychiatric treatment
- Substance abuse rehabilitation
- Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs
- Integrated primary care services
The facility design will incorporate the latest evidence-based practices in behavioral healthcare architecture, with an emphasis on creating therapeutic, trauma-informed, and patient-centered environments.
Open floor plans, natural light, healing gardens, and welcoming community spaces aim to promote recovery and reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment.
Statewide Access and Partnerships
A key priority is ensuring the new behavioral health center serves Texans from all corners of the state. To facilitate this, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is partnering with mental health authorities and local providers to create regional referral networks and expand telehealth services.
No matter where you live in Texas, from Amarillo to Brownsville, you will have access to the life-saving mental health and addiction treatment offered here, said HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Young.
The center will also serve as a hub for research and workforce development through collaborations with the University of Texas, Texas medical schools, and other health professions training programs. This aims to grow the state’s mental health workforce pipeline longer-term.
Funding and Next Steps
The $34 million in funding comes from the state’s Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds, part of Texas’ share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The legislature approved the appropriation during the last session as part of a broader $745 million investment in behavioral health services.
Planning and design work on the new facility will begin immediately, with construction expected to start in 2024.
State officials will coordinate closely with local leaders and community members in the coming months to gather input and provide updates on the project’s progress.
The announcement of the new behavioral health center comes as Texans continue to grapple with the mental health fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ongoing challenges like the opioid epidemic and rising suicide rates.
It represents a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to transform its psychiatric care system and support the health and well-being of all Texans.
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