Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas

General Mental Health:The Meadows Institute is dedicated to advancing mental health systems and support across Texas, with a focus on community-centered, proactive care. Leading this effort is The Hackett Center for Mental Health, which serves the unique needs of Greater Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast. Through its Putting Policy into Practice initiative, The Hackett Center provides technical support, partners with local health leaders, and promotes evidence-based care to enhance mental health services in Houston. Programs like Brain Builders offer resilience-building support for mothers and children, while community engagement shapes research and policy to reflect local needs.The Trauma and Grief (TAG) Center, based at The Hackett Center, focuses on raising the standard of care for traumatized or bereaved children and families. Through research, training, and policy advocacy, the TAG Center promotes evidence-based interventions that help youth adapt positively to trauma and loss, ensuring that those in need receive compassionate, effective care.Together, The Meadows Institute, The Hackett Center, and TAG work to transform mental health systems, moving from reactive crisis response to proactive, coordinated care. By engaging communities, leveraging data, and fostering local partnerships, we create a sustainable mental health network that improves quality of life and outcomes across Texas.

Justice: The Meadows Institute is committed to transforming Texass approach to mental health crises within the justice system. Through smart justice initiatives, we help communities implement programs that divert individuals with mental health needs away from jails and emergency rooms and into appropriate care. Programs like South Dallass RIGHT Care model involve coordinated crisis response teams to reduce unnecessary arrests, guiding individuals to mental health resources while alleviating demands on emergency services.We also collaborate with the judicial system to improve mental health responsiveness, supporting the creation of structures like the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. Additionally, by enhancing training for police and first responders, we ensure they are equipped to manage mental health crises effectively and connect individuals with the care they need. Our work aims to create a more compassionate and effective justice system for Texans living with mental illness.

Children, Youth & Families:The Meadows Institute focuses on expanding mental health support for children and youth, recognizing that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. By enhancing access to mental health care in primary and community settings, children can receive effective treatment early, reducing the need for intensive care and optimizing resources. The Institute also collaborates with schools, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems to ensure that children with intensive needs receive specialized support. By bringing together families, communities, and providers, the Institute aims to build a comprehensive support network that enables Texas children and youth to receive the mental health care they need, close to home.