The Denton County program launched in August 2023 in response to a United Way of Denton County survey, which found that 20% of Denton County residents experienced a mental health crisis, Healthcare Program Access Coordinator Isabel Rodriguez said.
The program is free for anybody in the county to access, Rodriguez added.
How it works
Individuals can reach out to a mental health navigator during normal business hours Monday through Friday, or online any time, Rodriguez said. Navigators then connect with individuals to figure out what services are needed and what resources they can be referred to, but Denton County Public Health’s Links program is not a crisis helpline.
Mental Health Navigator Rachel Herrera said individuals can provide information they choose to or let care navigators know what they are seeking. Care navigators ask about potential barriers, such as a lack of insurance or financial constraints, when seeking care.
Rodriguez said that the program is confidential, unless reporting is required by law, such as in the case of child or elder abuse. The program is available in both English and Spanish.
“I work a lot with our Spanish-speaking community members, and I understand the stigma that comes with mental health,” said Mental Health Navigator April Hernandez. “Whenever they reach out to me, I validate them, I support them... it's just a really good feeling knowing that we're making a difference in our community.”
Once a referral is made, care navigators will reconnect with referred individuals about two weeks after the initial call to ensure that they were able to connect with a mental healthcare provider.
Herrera said another follow-up takes place about three months after the fact to check in on the well-being of referrals. In some cases, individuals are referring people they know to the service, Herrera added.
“We are having really good feedback from the people reaching out, because they're saying that their well being has improved,” Herrera said. “People are reaching out to us and asking for assistance for and resources for other people in their lives.”
What else?
County officials said they do most of the leg work vetting providers before they make a referral.
“We're going to make sure that what we're giving them is current, and we're not going to give them a resource that has a two year wait list,” Herrera added. “And [we’re] going to make sure it's a good fit for that individual.”
