Adult Mental Health

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) contracts with 37 local mental health authorities (LMHAs) and two local behavioral health authorities (LBHAs) to deliver mental health services in communities across Texas.

LMHAs and LBHAs provide services to specific areas. To find where to get services in your area, you need to know which county you live in.

HHSC requires each LMHA and LBHA to evaluate the mental health needs of communities in their area and plan, develop policy, coordinate services and use resources to address those needs. HHSC also requires each LMHA and LBHA to consider public input, the ultimate cost-benefit and client care issues to:

  • Ensure people who need services can exercise consumer choice by helping them decide on their services, service provider and location of services;
  • Ensure the best use of public money to create a network of service providers and determine whether to provide a service or to contract that service to another organization; and
  • Make recommendations on the most appropriate services available to people who need services.

Adult Services Array

HHSC provides programs and services based on evidence-based practices to help people manage mental illness. The following is a list of basic services offered by LMHAs and LBHAs. Contact your local LMHA or LBHA for specific service details.

  • Case Management: Services that help an adult, child or adolescent, or caregiver gain and coordinate access to needed care and services. These services are primarily site-based.
  • Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): Services help people live the life they want by finding jobs or homes, learning about their medications and talking to their doctors to get what they need. ACT also shows people how to connect to other local services to help them meet their needs. ACT can help people develop fun and useful activities, stronger relationships with family and friends, and increased independence.
  • Pharmacological Management: Services to treat the signs and symptoms of mental illness through use and management of psychoactive drugs. Services are provided by a physician or other prescribing professional.
  • Counseling (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT): Services to reduce symptoms of mental illness and increase ability to perform activities of daily living. Services include individual, family and group CBT therapy and recovery or treatment planning to improve recovery and resiliency.
  • Counseling (Cognitive Processing Therapy or CPT): Services to reduce or remove symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults, including military veterans. Services include individual CPT therapy and recovery or treatment planning to improve recovery and resiliency.
  • Medication Training and Support: Services to provide information about medications and their possible side effects.
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitative Services: Services to help a person develop and maintain relationships, occupational or educational achievement, independent living skills and housing. Services include social, educational, vocational, behavioral and cognitive interventions provided by a person’s treatment team.
  • Skills Training and Development: Training to help a person with serious symptoms of mental illness get and improve skills to successfully participate in the community.