A Starting Point of Texas - Responses

Lulu Flores is a longtime champion of equality and social justice. She rose through the grassroots ranks to serve as President and CEO of the National Women’s Political Caucus, the longest serving institution committed to increasing women’s participation throughout the political process. Likewise, Lulu’s leadership can be seen at all levels, from being elected a National Delegate for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, to Chairing the Austin Arts Commission, to serving as Chief of Staff to the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas House, Representative Irma Rangel.
Learn more about Rep. Flores

q: What are some steps being taken to reduce the barriers to treatment such as lack of insurance coverage or stigma associated with seeking help?

Ensuring that those in our communities facing poverty have access to health care is a key responsibility of all levels of government and this is an area that the City of Austin and Travis County are really helping pick up the State’s slack, particularly with the massive post-pandemic unwinding of Medicaid that caused 1.7 million Texans to lose insurance coverage. There are some great resources here in Austin to help fill these coverage gaps that often involve partnerships between government and nonprofits.

Community Mental Health Centers

Community mental health centers provide accessible and affordable mental health services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. These centers offer a range of services, including counseling, therapy, and medication management.

Workplace Mental Health Programs

Many employers in Texas, including those in Austin, have implemented workplace mental health programs to support the mental well-being of their employees. These programs may include Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health training for managers, and resources for employees to access mental health services.

Integral Care

Integral Care is a local government agency that provides mental health and substance use disorder services to individuals in Travis County, including the City of Austin. They offer a wide range of programs, including crisis intervention, counseling, case management, housing assistance, and peer support services.

austin Travis County Integral Care Psychiatric Emergency Services (APES)

APES provides 24/7 crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. They offer assessments, crisis stabilization, and referrals to appropriate resources, including inpatient treatment facilities or community-based services.

Travis County Sobriety Center

The Travis County Sobriety Center provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals who are publicly intoxicated but do not require medical attention. Instead of being taken to jail or an emergency room, individuals can be brought to the Sobriety Center for sobering up, access to resources, and connections to treatment services.

Austin Clubhouse

Austin Clubhouse is a community-based mental health rehabilitation program that provides opportunities for individuals with mental illness to socialize, learn new skills, and access support services in a non-clinical setting. The clubhouse model emphasizes empowerment and recovery through meaningful work and social inclusion.

These efforts, among others, contribute to ongoing progress in reducing barriers to mental health treatment in Texas, including the City of Austin. However, continued collaboration between policymakers, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and the community is essential to further address these challenges.