FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Munji Nfor, Ext. Affairs and PR Manager
Email: Munji.Nfor@integralcare.org

May 6, 2026 (AUSTIN, TX) – Today, in recognition of Mental Health Month, Travis County’s Local Mental Health and Developmental Disability Authority, Integral Care, hosted a community forum to highlight the State of Mental Health in Central Texas. The event provided community members, stakeholders, and collaborators with a data‑driven briefing on current mental health trends, community needs, and the pressures facing our regional behavioral health system.

In 2023, ECHO reported more than 60% of 24,348 unhoused Austinites had at least one disabling condition. NAMI Texas’S 2025 data concluded that 1 in 5 Texans experience a mental illness in a given year. These affected populations often exist at the intersection major contributors to low quality of life; such as substance abuse, justice system navigation, and homelessness. During the forum, Judge Andy Brown, Dr. Mark Escott, and more community leaders discussed past success and future goals for improvement in the lives of Central Texans.

Forum Highlights

• Integral Care’s FY25 Annual Report revealed that Integral Care served 29,000 clients last year, 97% who were living in poverty and 19% who were unhoused.
• A 2025 study conducted by the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Cornell University underscores the significant impact of Integral Care professionals in 911 crisis response.
  • 43% reduction in involuntary emergency detentions  
  • 34% reduction in arrests  
  • Over 50% reduction in officer time on scene/26 fewer minutes of officer time per call
• The unveiling of the MHA’s new Four Quadrant Model displayed the agency’s dedication to agility and innovation when connecting appropriate providers with clients, based on the complexity of their needs and improve care coordination across systems.

“Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community seeking support,” said Jeff Richardson, CEO of Integral Care. “Integral Care plays a critical role in delivering care, recovery, and stability for thousands of community members each year.”

Attendees gained a clear understanding of how Integral Care and cross-sector partners work together to respond to Central Texans’ evolving needs. By expanding access to care, strengthening crisis response, advancing diversion efforts, and driving system innovation, the communal conversation explored what it takes to ensure mental health and well-being for all.

About Integral Care:
Integral Care improves the lives of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities in Travis County. Our services include a 24-hour helpline for anyone who needs immediate support, ongoing counseling to improve mental health, drug and alcohol treatment to help with recovery, and housing to regain health and independence. As the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority, Integral Care has pioneered high-quality, community-based care since 1967, collaborating with partners to build a supportive network and combat mental health stigma in Austin. 

To learn more about Integral Care, visit our website at: www.integralcare.org

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