Children, families, schools, and communities need state leaders to continue making children’s mental health a priority in the 2023 legislative session. The Legislature needs to address gaps in community-based mental health services for children with significant mental health needs, including those in crisis. Texas leaders must help provide students with safe and supportive schools and ensure parents have school-based tele-mental health options for their children. It will take more than a single innovative program, state agency, legislative session, or budget cycle to close these gaps. However, there are key steps the Texas Legislature can take in the 2023 legislative session to continue building a statewide system of children’s mental health care.
