Strategic partnerships transforming mental health for Texas families

Preventive care has become increasingly important in predicting and providing services for mental health. CareSource Bayou Health, an innovative joint venture between CareSource and Legacy Community Health, is addressing America’s mental health crisis through partnerships and a commitment to bettering the lives of Texans.

Proactive approaches to mental health in youth

Focusing on preventive mental health approaches for youth is imperative as 50% of life-long mental health conditions manifest by the age of 14. CareSource Bayou Health addresses mental health early on through strategic partnerships with leading organizations actively present on school campuses and implementing transformative programs for youth and their families.

Throughout Southeast Texas, Legacy Community Health plays a proactive role by offering accessible mental health care through its School-Based Health Program across 37 school campuses, including KIPP, YES Prep and Galena Park ISD. With parental consent, licensed professionals offer medical and behavioral services, addressing conditions such as anxiety, depression and trauma. The program’s presence in schools enables early identification and intervention for mental health concerns.

CareSource has transformed mental health care for youth through strategic partnerships with organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This collaboration spans multiple states where joint efforts have enhanced Crisis Intervention Team training in Indiana and bolstered Georgia’s behavioral health and recovery movement and advocated for essential reforms in mental health care. In recognition of their exceptional contributions to mental health care, CareSource was honored with an Innovation Award from the Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Provider Network. These partnerships emphasize CareSource’s commitment to bettering mental health care and will play a key role in bringing a patient-centered approach through CareSource Bayou Health.

CareSource’s multitude of partnerships ensures culturally competent, convenient access to mental health care, aiming to enhance positive outcomes for underserved communities. Among its initiatives, CareSource has transformed mental health support for youth and families through initiatives such as BeMe, a digital platform offering mental health assistance for teens, and the Stronger Together™ initiative, which works with parents and guardians to identify mental health concerns in children and creates personalized care plans. Bringing life-changing programs to Texans with the help of Legacy Community Health’s network of over 140 mental health providers will transform communities and support positive health outcomes for all.

CareSource Bayou Health’s diverse partnerships with organizations such as, the Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas (SCCSET), Communities in Schools of Houston (CIS) and Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas (CISSET), ensure culturally competent and convenient access to mental health care. SCCSET works with parents to screen students for mental health concerns and works with school counselors and case managers to determine next steps, eliminating the stigma and difficulty of seeking help. CIS Houston and CISSET station licensed mental health professionals on school campuses, facilitating easy access to care and counseling, allowing them to spot early signs of mental health conditions and intervene when necessary.

Acknowledging that a child’s mental health directly impacts their classroom performance, CareSource Bayou Health emphasizes the importance of prioritizing access to mental health services as over half of Texas youth with a mental health condition do not receive treatment or counseling. CareSource Bayou Health instilled a sense of confidence and set children up for success in the classroom by providing students with backpacks and essential school supplies at numerous back-to-school halftime shows. State leaders and health care pioneers are prioritizing access to mental health services, ensuring Texas’ future leaders can thrive academically and personally.

Addressing mental health in mothers and pregnant women

Expanding its focus beyond youth, CareSource Bayou Health addresses mental health in mothers and pregnant women. Maternal depression can impact the cognitive development of children, and about 1 in 5 women experience a mental health condition throughout pregnancy or within the year after birth. Addressing the pivotal role maternal mental health plays in shaping a child’s well-being, the joint venture supports mothers by connecting them with essential resources and providing ongoing support for positive mental health outcomes.

Legacy Community Health, the largest provider of maternal health in the nation in the community health center setting, supports tens of thousands of mothers annually with quality care during pregnancy and post-birth. Their community members experience some of the highest risk in the nation, and the organization’s goal is to safeguard the health of families.

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CareSource Bayou Health is a joint venture between CareSource and Legacy Community Health, combining both organization’s mission-driven approaches for a lasting difference in the health of members and communities.