Mental Health

Advocates said the legislation, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday, is the largest state-funded psychedelic research initiative in history.

A 2023 CDC report found youth mental health has worsened in the last 10 years. One of the campuses getting a mental health center is Martin Middle School in East Austin.

Integral Care, which fields 911 mental health calls, will hire 23 more mental health specialists to respond to those in crisis 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The nonprofit said it's notifying clients of their mental health care options after a successful fundraising drive.

A team of KUT producers spent a day with clinicians who field calls from Austinites in crisis. Here is a snapshot of what they learned.

Chronic absenteeism leads to worse student outcomes and fewer state dollars for Texas school districts. Austin ISD and its campuses are making a concerted effort to improve attendance, especially among students who are at the highest risk for missing school.

SIMS says it won't accept new clients. It's unclear when the longtime nonprofit will resume its work.

The diversion program offers an alternative place to go: a 24/7 psychiatric emergency services center. And a place to stay: a residential facility that provides care and case management.

State lawmakers didn’t seem swayed by top officials with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, who said on Monday that reports of rampant abuse within the agency’s facilities aren’t reflective of the department’s current climate.

The respite center will serve as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for youth navigating times of crisis.