Governor Abbott announces new grants to expand mental healthcare and physician training programs
Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has announced a new investment aimed at strengthening mental healthcare services across Texas, with $5 million in state grant funding dedicated to expanding forensic psychiatry training programs. The funding will support a growing need for specialized mental health professionals, particularly those working at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system.
The grants will be distributed through the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program, which focuses on training licensed physicians to handle complex mental health cases tied to courts, legal proceedings, and public safety concerns. State leaders say this move is part of a broader effort to increase access to care and build a stronger healthcare workforce across Texas.
“Texas remains steadfast in increasing access to mental healthcare across our state,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will create opportunities for our renowed higher education institutions to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders. I thank the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for their continued work to expand and improve mental health services that will benefit Texans in every community.”
Expanding training to meet growing mental health needs
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will oversee the distribution and use of the funding, ensuring it aligns with the state’s goal of improving mental health services. A total of nine medical training institutions across Texas have been selected to receive funding, with each institution awarded $555,555.
The participating institutions include Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Each of these institutions will use the grant funding to develop, expand, or administer accredited one-year forensic psychiatry fellowship programs. These programs are designed for licensed physicians who want to specialize further in mental health care, particularly in cases involving legal systems.
Forensic psychiatry is a specialized field that applies psychiatric knowledge to legal matters, including criminal and civil cases. It involves evaluating individuals, providing treatment, and conducting research related to safety, risk, and mental health in legal settings.
Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser emphasized the collaborative effort behind the initiative and its potential impact.
“Higher education institutions will better serve Texans in regions across the state through this grant funding which state leaders and lawmakers provided in the budget,” said Rosser. “All nine recipients highlighted innovative programs and strong collaboration with other institutions in their grant applications, demonstrating a shared commitment to make Texas a national leader in forensic psychiatry.”
Officials say the funding will help address gaps in mental health services, especially for individuals involved in legal proceedings who require specialized evaluation and care. By investing in advanced training, the state aims to increase the number of qualified professionals who can handle these complex cases.
The initiative also reflects a long-term strategy to improve access to mental health services in both urban and rural areas. As more trained specialists enter the workforce, communities across Texas are expected to benefit from improved care, faster evaluations, and better outcomes for individuals in need.
With this funding now in place, Texas continues to push forward in building a more responsive and capable mental healthcare system, one that can meet the growing demands of its population while supporting both public safety and individual well-being.
