The Office of Mental Health Coordination (OMHC) is primarily focused on how health care professionals determine mental and social health. The cornerstone of OMHC is engaging with external stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels to help 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 (SBHCC) with support from state agencies, state universities and the judiciary.
Policy, Systems Coordination and Programming
The Policy, Systems Coordination and Programming area of OMHC oversees the following initiatives:
- 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 Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (BHAC).
Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning
The Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning area oversees the activities and deliverables of the SBHCC, BHAC 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 the behavioral health workforce.
Statewide Opioid Coordination
The Statewide Opioid Coordination area tracks funding for the opioid services. The purpose is to ensure opioid services are not duplicated and gaps are addressed through a coordinated and comprehensive approach. The statewide opioid coordinator consults with other states on utilizing evidence-based practices to address the opioid crisis. This area provides a high level of support to the HHSC Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) team through developing a comprehensive strategic evaluation plan that encompasses all opioid focused grants and ensuring evaluation activities are complementary to the TTOR grant.
Suicide Prevention Policy and Services
The Suicide Prevention Policy and Services unit develops and implements statewide policies, programs, training and technical assistance for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. It also provides support to the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council’s Suicide Prevention Subcommittee.
The unit’s 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 that improve the lives of Texas veterans and their families, including:
- Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program (TV+FA)
- Mental Health Program for Veterans
- Veterans Suicide Prevention Action Plan
To learn more, visit the Texas Veterans Portal.
For immediate assistance, call 2-1-1 or (800) 252-VETS.
Contact Us
For more information, visit the Office of Mental Health Coordination (PDF) or email Office of Mental Health Coordination.