SB 239 would create loan repayment program for mental health professionals who treat underserved patients.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas -- Texas needs a mental health workforce capable of
meeting the growing needs of our growing state
said Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) earlier today as he filed legislation to help expand the ranks of Texas mental health professionals and
improve access to mental health services.
Schwertners SB 239 would offer student loan repayment assistance for psychiatrists psychologists licensed professional counselors psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurses and clinical social workers who agree to provide direct care to underserved Texans.
Without an adequate number of mental health professionals we will continue to see those suffering from mental illness cycle through our jails and emergency rooms at great expense to the taxpayer Schwertner said.
The shortage of mental health professionals represents one of the states most serious healthcare challenges as identified by both Governor-Elect Greg Abbotts
Healthy Texas plan and the Interim Report of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
Helping those who struggle with mental illness is an issue very near and dear to my heart said Schwertner.
As someone whose mother spent over 25 years as a nurse in our states mental health system I know firsthand what impact a dedicated mental health professional can have on the life of someone suffering from mental illness.
In 2013 Senator Schwertner passed legislation providing Texas educators with a free voluntary training program to help identify the warning signs of a mental health crisis and learn the appropriate strategies to respond to serious mental conditions like depression trauma bipolar disorder psychosis and anxiety. Known as Mental Health First Aid this program has already provided valuable training to over 7700 educators in its first year.
Earlier this month Senator Schwertner filed SB 133 to expand the Mental Health First Aid program to include school administrators counselors school resource officers bus drivers and other district employees.
Dr. Charles Schwertner was overwhelmingly re-elected this past November to serve the citizens of Senate District 5 a 10-county region of central and east Texas. Following the 83rd Legislative Session Schwertner was named a Courageous Conservative" by the Texas Conservative Coalition a Lone Star Conservative Leader" by the Texas Conservative Roundtable and Senate Freshman of the Year" by Texas Monthly magazine.
