Texas commits $239 million to strengthen mental health services in rural communities

Edinburg, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has announced a significant investment in mental health care for rural Texas communities. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is distributing $239 million in construction grants to improve and expand inpatient mental health services. This funding will help rural hospitals treat individuals with acute psychiatric illnesses closer to home, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to major cities for care.

Strengthening Mental Health Access Across Texas

Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The State of Texas continues working to expand access to critical mental health resources to ensure Texans get the support they need, no matter where they live. With this $239 million investment, Texas is expanding inpatient mental health services so rural communities and local governments will be able to treat patients with acute psychiatric illnesses closer to home. I thank members of the Texas Legislature and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for their ongoing work increasing access to mental health care across our great state.”

The funding will support the construction and renovation of mental health facilities, adding hundreds of new inpatient psychiatric beds across four communities. The expansion will allow hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment to patients in crisis, reducing pressure on law enforcement and emergency departments.

Scott Schalchlin, Deputy Executive Commissioner for the HHSC Health and Specialty Care System, highlighted the program’s impact: “HHSC is committed to working with the Legislature to increase options for accessing quality behavioral health resources. The program supports hospitals and local governments that understand the needs of their communities, enabling more people to receive support right where they live.”

Breakdown of the Grant Funding

The $239 million investment will support the addition of up to 332 inpatient mental health beds across Texas. HHSC has awarded funding to four major projects:

• DHR Health in Edinburg will receive $85 million to add up to 100 inpatient mental health beds.
• Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas in Beaumont has been granted $64 million for repairs, renovations, and the construction of 72 new beds.
• Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility in Conroe will expand its existing facility by up to 100 beds with the help of a $50 million grant.
• A new mental health facility in Victoria County will receive $40 million to build a 60-bed treatment center.

Supporting Forensic Mental Health Patients

In addition to expanding general mental health care, Governor Abbott and the 88th Texas Legislature have ensured that at least 50% of the newly created inpatient capacity will serve forensic patients. These are individuals involved in the criminal justice system who have been ordered to a state hospital for competency restoration. This process helps individuals regain the ability to stand trial while receiving essential mental health treatment.

The executed grant contracts are currently in different phases of design and development, marking the beginning of a statewide effort to strengthen mental health care infrastructure in Texas.

This investment represents a major step forward in ensuring that rural communities have the mental health resources needed to support residents locally, improving access to care and strengthening the overall health care system in Texas.