The Hays County Health Department announced its partnership with CredibleMind, the online mental health resource, on June 4. Health Department Manager Kate Esqueda (left) and Behavioral Health Coordinator Isabella Izzy Vigil (right) will help oversee the new initiative. (Courtesy Hays County)
More Healthcare news from San Marcos - Buda - Kyle
Local residents have greater access to personalized mental health resources through a new partnership between Hays County and a digital platform called CredibleMind.
The specifics
The Hays County Health Department announced its partnership with the platform June 4. CredibleMind offers localized, wellness-oriented digital content that allows employees, insurers, health care providers and community organizations to provide personalized mental health resources. The partnership enables the platform to serve as a digital resource for the county’s growing population of over 300,000 residents, according to a news release.
CredibleMind focuses on enabling early intervention and prevention of mental health issues. The platform offers more than 10,000 resources to help users find credible self-care options and improve their overall well-being without medical intervention, according to the release.
The conditions
“Our community members deserve accessible and efficient ways to find resources that support their wellbeing,” Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director, said in the release. “The formal partnership between CredibleMind and Hays County is one of many steps taken by the Hays County Commissioners Court and Health Department to expand meaningful behavioral health resources for our community.”
The new resource does not replace clinical care or emergency services, but acts as a first step for those seeking tools, education and local support resources, according to the release.
The online platform includes educational materials on topics including mental health, life changes, healthy relationships and wellbeing at work. The site also offers well-being assessments that cover topics including sleep quality, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The Learning Lab includes video and audio series on topics such as depression and substance abuse. CredibleMinds also lists information on local support groups and treatment centers, according to the website.
“We are facing a mental health crisis in our country, and the demand for mental health services is higher than ever,” CredibleMinds CEO Deryk Van Brunt said in the release. “We are thrilled to partner with the Hays County Health Department and provide on-demand, reliable self-care and mental health resources to help community members improve their overall well-being and flourish.”
Behavioral Health Coordinator Isabella “Izzy” Vigil works to develop mental health initiatives for the community. (Courtesy Hays County)
The framework
The Hays County Health Department coordinates behavioral health services, such as the Hays County Resource Directory, community wellness events, cross-sector partnerships and Behavioral Health 360. Behavioral Health Coordinator Isabella “Izzy” Vigil works to expand access to care and develop mental health initiatives for the community, according to the release.
CredibleMind was founded in 2018 by Van Brunt and Chief Technology Officer Marcos Athanasoulis.
