AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As lawmakers put together to return to the Texas Capitol this month, many rural communities hope the legislature will make vital investments of their psychological well being assets.
Potter County Choose Nancy Tanner handles psychological well being instances not solely in her Amarillo County seat, however in additional than two dozen rural counties across the Texas Panhandle. Though Tanner stated she has prosecuted greater than 5,000 instances throughout her tenure, the closest psychological well being hospital to her constituents is greater than 200 miles away.
“I can let you know some very unhappy tales,” he stated. “I do not need individuals to inform me, ‘Nicely, she killed herself.’ That is what we’ve got to cease.”
He stated just one in 5 individuals with psychological well being wants within the instances he has dealt with have made it to a state hospital. Usually after they do, Tanner added, they break away with out correct care and find yourself again within the system.
“There may be by no means a mattress out there,” he stated. “We’re simply behind with the identical individuals.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick estimated at a information convention final month that of some 2,500 psychological well being beds in Texas, a minimum of 1,000 are empty as a result of nursing shortages. He listed rural psychological well being entry as one in all his prime priorities for the 88th legislative session.
“As I’ve traveled the state I’ve seen the necessity,” Patrick stated. “We do not have a psychological well being middle within the Panhandle, so I suggest we construct one there. That is one thing we’ve got to do for our communities.”
He estimated that his plan so as to add a brand new state hospital in Amarillo and a whole bunch of beds at present places will price $2.2 billion. He was particular in advocating for extra beds in El Paso, 300 extra in Wichita Falls and Terrell, in addition to 140 extra within the Rio Grande Valley.
Patrick additionally proposed new funding in tuition protection and pay will increase for nurses to cut back staffing shortages.
In Kingsville, Dr. Steve Bain, of the brand new Institute for Rural Psychological Well being Initiatives, stated the precedence must be on postgraduate applications that prepare new psychological well being professionals and encourage placement in rural communities. The Texas A&M Board of Regents permitted the institute this November as the primary middle of its sort for rural psychological well being analysis and schooling.
“Our state ranks very low in delivering psychological well being assets, significantly to the distant inhabitants,” Bain stated. “Now we have to be consistently linked to those communities, and that can take time and group by our institute. It may take analysis and analysis funding. And it is going to be essential to place our graduate college students who want their apply and internships in these rural communities.”
In testimony earlier than the Texas Home of Representatives, Bain instructed lawmakers that one in 5 Texas kids has a psychological well being dysfunction. Between 2019 and 2021 alone, the Texas Poison Management Community recorded a 50% improve in suspected suicide calls amongst teenagers.
“We’re at an unprecedented second in our state’s historical past the place nice leaders like you may make a distinction for youngsters, their households, and people who are dedicated to the holistic success of our younger Texans,” he testified. “Together with your assist, we will and should broaden rural psychological well being applications.”
Tanner stated he’s optimistic that this session will deliver tangible enhancements.
“Lt. Governor Patrick stated there’s cash within the finances,” he stated, including that the Senate Finance Committee was “very open” to his proposal for a psychological well being hospital in Amarillo. The Amarillo Space Basis has already donated seven acres for the ability, together with native medical faculty college students on the Texas Tech College Well being Science Heart, and he or she stated it is smart.
“I pray that it occurs. Will probably be my best journey and my best success as a decide to do that earlier than I go away right here,” she stated.