News

Collaboration and Improvements in the Mental Health and Substance Use Service System for our Community

April 16, 2024

The El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium (Consortium) gathered at El Paso Community College in March to acknowledge collaborations and improvements in the mental health and substance use service systems for children, youth, and families. Formed to assess the El Paso community’s behavioral health system in anticipation of future service needs and funding trends, the Consortium has been instrumental in driving positive change. Panelists for the General Meeting of the Consortium included leaders from Aliviane, Inc.; Paso del Norte Center of Hope; El Paso Juvenile Justice Center, Region 19 Education Service Center; Strong Families Family Advisory Council; The University of Texas at El Paso; Texas Tech Health Sciences Center El Paso; Emergence Health Network; Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center; Paso del Norte Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute; Children’s Grief Center El Paso; and El Paso Child Guidance Center. The 2021 El Paso Behavioral Health System Assessment identified significant insights. Among children and youth with mental health conditions, over half (about 35,000) had mild conditions, while approximately 15,000 had moderate conditions, and another 10,000 faced mental health challenges causing substantial impairment, classified as a serious emotional disturbance (SED). Alarmingly, nearly eighty percent (8,000) of children and youth with an SED were living in poverty.

To learn more about the El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium or to get involved, click here.