T-Squared: Mental Health Matters
Throughout Mental Health Month in May, the Tribune is partnering with the Mental Health Channel and KLRU for a series focusing on some of Texas’ biggest challenges in providing mental health care. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Emily Albracht -
For Foster Kids, a Push to Ensure Medical Care Treats Psychological Pain
State officials hope a new network of clinics will better connect foster children with trauma-informed behavioral health care. Full Story
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![Bari Greenwood, who adopted her daughter after she was removed from her biological parents by Child Protective Services, stands at the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care in Plano, Texas, May 4, 2016. Greenwood and her family received services at the center.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman -
Supporting Workers and Their Mental Health
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., resulting in absenteeism, diminished productivity and increased turnover. In this segment of in this episode of Mental Health Matters, we look at several legislative and employer-based policies that strive to support workers and strengthen businesses and the economy. Full Story
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Targeting Mental Health Services on a Community Level
When federal mental health care services diminished dramatically a few decades ago, community programs were supposed to take their place. This episode of Mental Health Matters looks at which are working today and if they can be affordably replicated. Full Story
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In Texas, Working to Keep People With Mental Illness Out of Jail in Texas
In this segment of Mental Health Matters, we look at efforts in Texas to keep people with mental illness out of the criminal justice system and instead provide them more affordable services more tailored to their needs. Full Story
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Putting a Priority on School-Based Mental Health Services
This segment of Mental Health Matters highlights work that provides more effective school-based mental health programs to improve the lives of the most vulnerable population, when budgets are tight and infrastructure may be lacking. Full Story
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Ensuring a Clear Path to Effective Mental Heath Care
Across the state, many people with mental illness can’t find, or can’t afford, care. This episode of Mental Health Matters explores what policies and programs people can access to get effective help. Full Story
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Mental Health Initiatives Serve Those Who Served Their Country
Service members returning from war can face a higher risk of mental health issues. This segment of Mental Health Matters looks at Texas programs that help veterans reintegrate and reduce their exposure to substance abuse, homelessness and incarceration. Full Story
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Bills Coming Due for State's Troubled Foster Care System
Two special masters appointed by a federal judge to oversee reforms at the state's troubled foster care system have started work, and the tab is running. Full Story
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Texas Cemetery Sued Over “Whites Only” Policy
Dorothy Barrera hoped she and her late husband would eventually be together again at the San Domingo Cemetery, but she says the cemetery association refused to allow her husband's burial because he was Hispanic. Full Story
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![The San Domingo Cemetery in Normanna, Texas. Donna Barrera claims she was told that her deceased husband Pedro could not be buried in the cemetery because of his Hispanic ethnicity.]()
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Abbott Appoints Longtime Aide to Lead Health Commission
Charles Smith, a longtime ally of Gov. Greg Abbott, will be the next executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the governor announced Tuesday. Full Story
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Cuts Hit Early Childhood Intervention Program
Nonprofit providers of pediatric therapy services say sweeping budget cuts ordered by state lawmakers will jeopardize the Early Childhood Intervention program in particular. Full Story
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![Lauretta Jackson, a physical therapist from Any Baby Can, works with Sara weekly to improve her body strength. Nonprofit therapy providers are worried budget cuts made by lawmakers will put them out of business.]()
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Texas, Feds Agree to Renew Short-Term Medicaid Funds
The Obama administration has agreed to temporarily keep some federal money flowing into Texas to help hospitals treat uninsured patients, despite the state's refusal to offer health coverage to low-income adults. Full Story
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State Spending More on Mental Health Care, but Waitlist Grows
Texas lawmakers tout recent improvements to the state’s mental health safety net, citing new funding and program expansions. But the state still struggles to provide psychiatric care for all patients who need it. Full Story
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![The Austin State Hospital is shown on April 29, 2016. Despite an infusion of funding from lawmakers for the state’s mental health care system, Texas struggles to provide psychiatric care for all patients who need it.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber/The Texas Tribune -
Fetal Tissue Research Limited but Important, Lawmakers Told
Texas public university officials told lawmakers on Thursday that scientific research using human fetal tissue was limited in scope but crucial to medical advances. Full Story
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![State Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, the chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, listened to testimony about how researchers use fetal tissue on April 28, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Child Abuse Case Resurfaces in Railroad Commission Race
Sixteen years ago, CPS staffers accused Gary and Melissa Gates of abuse and removed their 13 children from their home. That case fizzled quickly, but the allegations and ensuing legal fight continue to provide fodder for Gates' political opponents. Full Story
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![A 2011 photo of Melissa and Gary Gates with seven of their 13 children on the Gates' 150-acre property in Richmond, Texas. From left to right: Melissa, Marcus, Gary, Cassie, Sarah, Cynthia, Andy, Raquel and Lexi.]()
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With Planned Parenthood Cleared, Lawmakers to Mull Fetal Tissue Laws
Texas lawmakers will meet Thursday to examine policies on how human fetal tissue can be used for scientific research. Full Story
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![The inside of the Texas Capitol Building on March 29, 2016.]()
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New in Trib+Health: A New Approach To Treat Autism
In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: Dallas scientists launch new effort that could help some patients with autism, the head of the Health and Human Services Commission announces he's retiring and a warning on using antihistamines before a workout. Full Story
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No State Laws Keep Eye on the Tigers
A tiger left roaming the streets of Conroe after last week's floods has unearthed a unique complication: There are few statewide regulations regarding dangerous wild animals in Texas. Full Story
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![Animal control officers in Conroe, Texas captured a young female tiger wandering the streets on April 21 after widespread flooding in the Houston area.]()
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State, Feds Know Valley Residents Have Eaten Toxic Fish for Decades
For more than two decades, federal and state health officials have known that residents of a poor community in the Rio Grande Valley are eating fish laced with unsafe levels of toxic chemicals, but they haven't found a way to stop it. Full Story
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![One of four warning signs posted next to polluted Donna Lake.]()
Credit: Douglas Young