Health

Texas is investing in a New Mental Health Program that will improve the state.

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By John Wick

The United States of America is addressing the mental health crisis accross all demographics. Everyone has started contributing to the discussion: the President, mental health activists, researchers, residents, and more. While the entire country is undergoing the crisis, Texas is one of the states ready to address and tackle the issue. 

There are millions of Texans suffering from both minor and chronic physical illnesses. While the state has building on its clinical infrastructure for these physical diseases, issues like mental illness can go unnoticed. However, with the upgraded health models coming into play, Texas is now investing in new mental health programs that will improve the state. 

In 2020, over 249,800 biopharmaceutical jobs were added across the state of Texas. These investments are directed toward research, clinical trials, and new treatments for mental health issues and other diseases. A report presented by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) links this growth in research and trials with increasing economic activity and employment opportunities in this field.

The revenue generated here has encouraged state leaders to promote more research and trials in the private and public sectors. While the state is actively contributing to the programs, there are substantial investments coming in from the private sector. Geode Health, a private equity group, has already launched its first clinic in Texas with plans to open 400 locations across the nation.

These investments are not just beneficial for the economic index, but are also contributing on a humanitarian level. The long-running stigma around mental health is reducing significantly, which makes contributing to  and accessing mental healthcare easier and more accessible.

Is mental health a serious concern in the U.S.?

As per a report produced by Mental Health America, mental health issues are widespread in the United States. They fall among the most common health conditions in the country, with over 50% of individuals diagnosed with a disorder in their lifetime. 

One in every five Americans goes through some form of mental illness in a year. And 1 out of every 25 of these individuals is diagnosed with severe issues like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression.  

The department of Health and Human Services has prepared a consolidated repository to assist Americans in availing mental health benefits under the law. Many states like Texas are coming up with programs to establish a dynamic model for aiding the mental health disorders of their residents. 

How is Texas doing at its mental health index?

The pandemic has contributed to the increased percentage of young adults going through mental health disorders. 39.2% of adults in Texas were diagnosed with symptoms related to anxiety and depression between September and October of 2021, and that’s only one month. Some repercussions of these disorders included decreased productivity, substance abuse, and increased suicide rates. 

However, the state is actively working on creating an inclusive space for researching and treating mental health disorders. They are utilizing the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month, to provide more opportunities and resources for their residents to learn about mental healthcare.

The Texas Health and Human Service Commission is hosting a month-long event, including webinars, awareness drives, art contests, and lectures. They address a diverse range of topics, from suicide prevention to social media and mental health. 

Other clinical trials in Texas

Along with awareness drives and investment programs, Texas is also hosting clinical trials to contribute to research and treatment related to mental health. Oral health medication has been effective for treatment-resistant depressive disorders一a primary concern among young adults. 

Most cities in Texas are actively conducting clinical trials for the same purpose, offering hope to millions of Americans who are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. However, these clinical trials are time-consuming and take about seven to ten years to complete the cycle of research, preparation, development, manufacturing, and distribution. The evaluated cost of developing a single new medicine for the sector is about $2.6 billion. 

The high budget and negligence toward mental health is one reason for the disparity between investments in other healthcare sectors versus the mental health sector. Out of the 2,500 dedicated clinical trial sites in Texas, only 78 are directed toward addressing mental health. However, the investment schemes and other diverse initiatives show that the state is constantly working to fill the gaps. 

Texas will soon become home to the most significant academic psychiatric hospital in the country.

The increased number of trials and investments are driving the economy and multiplying the efforts to spur scientists in the biopharmaceutical sector on toward dedicated mental health work. This environment has made Texas an ideal space to host the nation’s best academic psychiatric hospital for mental health and behavioral sciences. 

In partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the University of Texas Health Science Center and Texas Medical Center have launched a new academic psychiatric hospital as a part of the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Centre. The hospital has the most advanced patient care, education, training, and research facility. 

The hospital has been funded by the 85th Texas Legislative Session of 2017, and the 87th Legislature approved its first year’s operational funding in 2021. The hospital building has been named “John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center” to honor the generous donation of the Dunn foundation. Their donation supported the health initiatives of the university and addressed the substantial gaps in their mental health care amenities. 

The hospital is the first public psychiatric hospital to be constructed in the state in 25 years. The Texas HHSC Executive Commissioner, Cecile Erwin Young, stated that the facility aims to incur a long-lasting impact on the state’s ability to provide care for severe mental illnesses. Moreover, the cutting-edge research, patient care, and awareness programs will help create a better health model for treating mental ailments. 

The hospital marks the state’s efforts to increase access to mental and behavioral healthcare facilities. Hopefully, the state-sponsored research program, the active clinical trials, and the one-of-a-kind specialty hospital dedicated to Mental and Behavioral Science will elevate the mental healthcare of Texans and Americans at large.