The Office of Mental Health Coordination is primarily a policy-making unit with a primary focus on mental and social determinants of health. The cornerstone of OMHC is external stakeholder engagement at local, state and federal levels which helps to shape policies and recommendations for behavioral health services and programs. Guiding the work of OMHC is the Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan (PDF) developed by the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council and statewide mental health coordination across state agencies, state universities and the judiciary receiving state funds.
Policy, Systems Coordination and Programming
The Policy, Systems Coordination and Programming arm oversees initiatives, including:
- Children, youth and adult collaboratives
- Mental Health First Aid
- Mental Health Wellness for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities training
- Trauma-informed care initiatives
Children, youth and adult collaboratives include the Texas System of Care, Community Resource Coordination Groups, and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Subcommittee of the BHAC.
Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning
The Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning arm oversees the activities and deliverables of the SBHCC, Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, the Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use Disorder Parity Workgroup and other collaboratives. This area includes policy experts who coordinate with local, state and federal partners to address gaps in support services in the behavioral health service delivery system to include housing and behavioral health workforce.
Statewide Opioid Coordination
The Statewide Opioid Coordination area tracks funding for opioid services flowing into the state of Texas. The purpose is to ensure that opioid services are not duplicated and gaps in opioid services are addressed through a coordinated and comprehensive approach. The Statewide Opioid Coordinator consults on a national level with other states related to utilization of evidenced based practices to address the opioid crisis. This area provides a high level of support to the HHSC Texas Targeted Opioid Response team through leading the development of a comprehensive strategic evaluation plan that encompasses all opioid focused grants and ensuring that the evaluation activities are complementary to the TTOR grant.
Suicide Prevention Policy and Services
The Suicide Prevention Policy and Services unit oversees the development and implementation of statewide suicide prevention, intervention and postvention policy, programs, training, and technical assistance. The team also provides support to the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council’s Suicide Prevention Subcommittee. Initiatives include:
- Suicide Care Initiative (SCI)
- Resilient Youth Safer Environments (RYSE)
- Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education (AWARE)
Veterans Mental Health Services
The Veterans Mental Health Services unit oversees veteran mental health initiatives improving the quality of life of Texas veterans and their families through support and availability of mental health treatment and services.
These initiatives are the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program (TV+FA), the Mental Health Program for Veterans, and the veterans suicide prevention action plan.
To learn more about resources for veterans, visit the Texas Veterans Portal. For immediate assistance, please call 2-1-1 or (800) 252-VETS.
Contact Us
For more information, email Office of Mental Health Coordination or visit the Office of Mental Health Coordination (PDF).