The 83rd Texas Legislature appropriated $332 million in funding for mental health and substance abuse disorders for the next two years, a move that health officials say is one step in the right direction following years of inadequate funding.
"The additional funding that is being provided is enabling [the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County] to expand our outpatient services capacity," MHMRA Executive Director Steven Schnee said. "The intent over this year will be to, if at all possible, zero out the waiting list and try to keep that list from reoccurring."
About 500,000 adults in Harris County—and 150,000 children—suffer from a mental illness, and close to 1,600 people who show signs of the three major mental illnesses—bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or depression—have been unable to receive care. However, because of the additional state and federal funding through the 1115 Medicaid waiver, that is expected to change.
"Through the state and federal funds, we're expecting to do some remarkable things for adults in Harris County who have been underserved or unserved," Schnee said. "We're in the process of expanding our treatment teams by roughly 2,500 outpatient slots every month, so we will go from about 8,500 adults to nearly 11,000 as that rolls out."
The Legislature also appropriated $10 million during a two-year period for a Harris County jail diversion program, which will focus on inmates with mental health issues leaving the jail. The Harris County jail is considered the largest mental health facility in the state, with nearly 2,500 inmates receiving mental health medication on a daily basis.
"They'll be trying to provide them with case management and other needed services that will keep them stable and keep them from returning to the criminal justice system," said Andrea Usanga, director of policy and government relations for Mental Health America of Greater Houston. "There are individuals who have been cycling through the Harris County jail for decades. If they craft a solid program, that will hopefully keep some of these folks on the outside."
