Texas Secures $20M For Pandemic-Related Counseling Services

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has secured more than $20 million in additional funding for disaster crisis counseling services for Texas residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced.

The funding is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Regular Services Crisis Counseling Program, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a prepared statement.

"As the State of Texas combats COVID-19, we are ensuring that Texans have access to the mental health support services they need," Abbott said. "Thank you to our federal partners at FEMA for their continued support throughout the pandemic and for providing this crucial funding for our state's crisis counseling services."

Sonja Gaines, the agency's deputy executive commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability & Behavioral Health Services, spoke to the value of the resources: "People throughout Texas experiencing mental or emotional stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic can get the support they need with the help of this federal funding," she said "This grant allows Texas families to have greater access to the services they need during this challenging time."

The grant funds are in addition to the $5.8 million in FEMA crisis counseling funds health officials announced in May, and will extend counseling services to 28 local mental health and behavioral health authorities in Texas, according to the governor's office. The grant is expected to connect an additional 240,000 Texans throughout the state to short-term crisis counseling services, officials added.

The funding will also continue the COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line and support various organizations that focus on emergency management, public health, social services and crisis counseling in emergency shelters, according to an advisory. Individuals struggling with substance use issues will also benefit from the disaster crisis counseling services, officials added.

For additional resources, visit the Mental Health & Substance Use Resources web page. Texas residents can dial 2-1-1 to learn about programs and services.