Story links: BIPOC MENTAL HEALTH MONTH | CEO SURVEY | TEXAS COUNCIL CONFERENCE | PROJECT SEARCH
Recognizing One Year of 988 and BIPOC Mental Health Month
A Message From Our CEO
This month marks one year since the launch of 988 – an extension of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Integral Care has been part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network since 2012. When someone calls the Lifeline from an area code covered by Integral Care, that call rolls to our Helpline team. Over the last year, our Helpline staff have answered 988 calls for the 76 counties we support, resolving 97% of calls over the phone.
To mark the one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) officials have been visiting 988 Call Centers across the country. Integral Care was honored to be one of four stops on their tour. Last month, they visited Austin for a roundtable discussion with Integral Care, Texas Health and Human Services, and city, county, and state leaders.
The group discussed milestones of the first year of 988, the future of 988, and the robust crisis continuum here in Travis County – including our community’s 911 mental health option. Monica Johnson, Director of 988, had this to say about Integral Care:
“People in Austin and Travis County have multiple access points to varying levels of mental health care, thus improving health outcomes, and reducing unnecessary use of jail, ERs and inpatient hospitalization. This is a model worth shining a light on for the rest of the country to see. You should all applaud it.”
We are so proud of our Helpline, Crisis Teams, and Outpatient Clinic Teams. Their compassion and dedication to providing immediate and ongoing care to those we serve have been critical in making the 988 launch a success. The collaborative nature of Integral Care has helped make us a national example of what it means to have “no wrong door” when it comes to supporting the mental health of our community.
As always, if you or someone you know needs help, free emotional support is available. Our compassionate team of mental health professionals provide immediate emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us day or night at 512-472-HELP (4357) or dial 988.
David Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Transparencies Archive
Past Transparencies sorted by year
2023
January 2023: Celebrating the 23rd Annual Central Texas African American Family Support Conference
February 2023: Honoring Black History Month
March 2023: Supporting the Needs of People Living with IDD
April 2023: Caring for the Caregivers: National Counseling Awareness Month
May 2023: Mental Health Month: Championing Our Children’s Mental Health
June 2023: Honoring Pride Month
2022
December 2022: Looking Ahead to the 88th Legislative Session
November 2022: Supporting Children’s Mental Health
October 2022: Working Toward Racial Equity
September 2022: Coming Together on the Road to Recovery & Suicide Prevention
August 2022: Expanding Access to Critical Mental Health Support
July 2022: Supporting BIPOC Mental Health through Data
June 2022: Celebrating Pride Month
April-May 2022: Looking Ahead to Mental Health Month
March 2022: Honoring Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
February 2022: Strengthening Our Network of Mental Health Support
January 2022: Looking Ahead in 2022
2021
December 2021: Celebrating Progress & Innovation in 2021
November 2021: Action Steps Toward Preventing and Ending Homelessness
October 2021: Language Access & Racial Equity
September 2021: Treatment & Addiction Psychiatry at Integral Care
August 2021: Returning to School plus the Legislative Wrap-up
July 2021: Creating Lasting Change for BIPOC Mental Health
June 2021: Facts & Resources This Pride Month
May 2021: Mental Health Month
April 2021: How do we help Austinites experiencing homelessness?
March 2021: Growth and Positive Change
February 2021: How Do We Create a Better Future?
January 2021: Looking Ahead to the Legislative Session
2020
December 2020: Supporting Your Mental Health This Winter
November 2020: How do we rebuild health and well-being during a pandemic?
October 2020: With Collaboration Comes Innovation
September 2020: Success Stories of Recovery and Suicide Prevention
August 2020: A Back to School Season Like Never Before
July 2020: Minority Health Disparities & COVID-19
June 2020: Stronger Together
May 2020: Surviving and Thriving During Uncertain Times
April 2020: Persevering During COVID-19
March 2020: Collaborations and Initiatives to Improve Health for the IDD Population
February 2020:Solutions to Health and Health Care Disparities
January 2020: Sucicide Prevention a Local Effort
2019
December 2019: A Year of Thriving Care & Collaboration
November 2019: Teamwork and Collaboration Impact Homelessness in Travis County
October 2019:Making Strides for World Mental Health
September 2019: Taking Steps to Recovery Support
August 2019: Working Together for Child & Youth Mental Health
July 2019: Legislative Wrap-Up – Some Bipartisan Wins for Healthcare
June 2019: Strengthening Access for Veterans and the Entire Military Family
May 2019: Women and Mental Health
April 2019: Legislative Session Status Report
March 2019: Making Opportunities for Recovery More Accessible
February 2019: Recovery is Possible
January 2019: Stronger Outcomes Through Collaboration
December 2018: Looking ahead to the 86th Texas Legislature
November 2018: How Tech is Changing the Face of Mental Health
October 2018: A Few Questions Could Help Save a Life
September 2018: Anyone Can Save a Life
August 2018: A Milestone Moment
July 2018: Equity in Mental Health Care for All
June 2018: Expanding Services for Veterans
2018
May 2018: Your Mental Health Toolkit
April 2018: Time of Terror Calls for Increased Emotional Support
March 2018: Stopping the cycle of incarceration for individuals with mental illness
February 2018: Equity in mental healthcare for everyone
January 2018 : Improving Mental Health Through Partnership & Collaboration
2017
December 2017: Strength Through Community
November 2017 : Healthy Lifestyles Improve Well-Being
October 2017 : National Child Health Day
September 2017 : Strengthening Families and Communities
Highlight: July is BIPOC Mental Health Month
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, formally recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Discrimination, unequal access to care, a lack of culturally and linguistically competent care and additional stigma all contribute to mental health disparities for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. This observance serves as an opportunity to promote mental health among BIPOC communities and highlight the unique mental health struggles they face in the U.S.
Integral Care is committed to addressing these disparities across our system of care. Equity is one of our core values – we are dedicated to eradicating our own institutional racism and structural inequities, advancing a culture of inclusion, and supporting people of all identities. One of our FY23-25 Strategic Plan goals that guide Integral Care’s work is Build Equity. For us, this means:
- Building racial and health equity in the community and an inclusive environment for team members and providers
- Providing care that fits the diverse needs of all people we serve
- Cultivating a culturally adaptive, diverse workforce and provider network
- Using data to track progress and inform decision-making to advance equity
These efforts are paramount to ensuring that BIPOC communities in Austin-Travis County have access to high-quality mental health services responsive to their needs. Click here to explore a list of local and digital BIPOC resources. We invite you to share them with your networks.
Digital Resources
BIPOC Mental Health Video Series
In this video series, Integral Care staff talk about mental health in different cultures. The videos are in multiple languages including Spanish, Mandarin, Urdu, Arabic and Hindi.
Spanish Community Forums
View recordings of our Spanish virtual community forums. Topics include preventing suicide among Hispanic youth and supporting families of people who have mental health challenges.
Mental Health America BIPOC Mental Health Month Resources
Mental Health America has compiled a list of educational and practical mental health resources for BIPOC communities.
Local Resources
Integral Care 24/7 Helpline | (512) 472-HELP (4357)
Free emotional support in many languages. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What’sintheMirror?
Comprehensive Austin Mental Wellness Database and healing through art.
Asian Family Support Services of Austin | (877) 281-8371
Access to emergency shelter, housing, safety planning, counseling, healthcare navigation services and more. Offers toll-free 24-hour helpline in various languages.
Austin Asian Community Health Initiative
Improving the health & well-being of Asians in Central Texas through advocacy, education, and support.
Together We Will Heal | Facebook group
Monthly virtual forums focused on the Black community and Facebook group to support health and well-being.
Muslim Community Support Services
Resources for low-income people, refugees and victims of domestic violence.
Highlight: Integral Care Staff Present at Texas Council Conference
Late last month, multiple Integral Care staff presented at the Texas Council of Community Centers’ 36th Annual Conference in Houston, Texas.
Tarissa Moss (pictured), Peer Support Specialist, Lily Wolff-Knuffke, Program Manager, Ingrid Perdigon Gomez, Program Manager, and Emily Hammer, School-Based Therapist Team Lead, presented the poster, “Improving Mental Health in School Aged Children through Summer Enrichment Activities.”
Nicole Warren, Helpline and Crisis Line Practice Manager, served on the panel, “988 Meets 911: A Powerful Collaboration.”
Bridging the Gap Sponsor Highlight
“2 Dine 4 Fine Catering was honored to work with Integral Care to support their mission to build the health and well-being of those in our community. During the pandemic, we saw the way mental health, behavioral issues and housing struggles can affect anyone in our community. Without Integral Care, these unmet public needs would continue to harm our neighbors and be an obstacle to the potential all around us. We were honored to be able to serve them as they serve our community.”
What's New
Save the Date: July BIPOC Mental Health Community Forum
Keep your eye out for an email announcing the date of our July virtual community forum focused on BIPOC mental health. More details to come soon.
July Together We Will Heal Forum
Join us on July 19th at 1:30pm for this month’s Together We Will Heal Forum on Re-entry into Society with Carl Hunter II, Executive Director of Building Promise USA.
Sun Radio Highlights Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat Campaign
Michelle Pierson, Del Valle School-Based Program Manager, and William Malm of Austin Public Health recently spoke to Sun Radio about our joint campaign – Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat – focused on children’s mental health.
Huge thanks to Austin Public Health, City of Austin, and Travis County for their partnership in this important effort! Listen to the interview here.
Do you want to order Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat conversation cards for your organization? Click here to order 50 or more.
KUT, CBS, and KVUE Highlight Integral Care’s 988 Role
KUT, CBS Austin, and KVUE recently ran pieces highlighting the one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Integral Care’s role in our community and the area our call center staff serve: