North Texas Behavioral Health Authority

05/28/2026

Mental Health Check-In at Waxahachie

NTBHA is grateful for the incredible turnout at Saturday’s Mental Health Check-In event in Waxahachie, Texas. Several vendors and community organizations were available to provide support, education, and valuable resources. Devyn Futrell and Issac Rodriguez (pictured) are honored by the opportunity to connect so many individuals with vital mental health services and community support.

The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) oversees the publicly-funded mental health and substance use recovery services in Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties.

Please visit our website at https://ntbha.org/ or call 214-366-9407 or Toll-Free: 877-653-6363 for more information.

NTBHA’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline can be reached at (866) 260-8000 or (844) 672-5700.

05/27/2026

Supporting someone living with a serious mental illness starts with understanding. Learning about mental health conditions can help you respond with empathy and confidence. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Rh0050Z4wvF

05/26/2026

NTBHA’s Staff Attends Texas Youth Crisis Outreach Team (YCOT) Summit
Jessica Martinez-NTBHA”S Chief of Clinical Development, Shannon Vogel-Chief Impact Officer, Amy Watson-Director of Mobile Crisis Outreach Team and Youth Crisis Outreach Team and Makensie Miller, YCOT Program Manager attended the recent YCOT Summit.
The Learning Community Summit brought together Texas’ 16 YCOT teams in collaboration with Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Council of Community Centers and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI). Eight of the teams have been in operation for two years, and eight are just getting started.
Ms. Martinez stated, “We were fortunate to have everyone in the same room, working together toward an ideal crisis response system for youth in Texas, and grateful for all of the people doing this work every day and for the privilege of partnering alongside them!

The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) oversees the publicly-funded mental health and substance use recovery services in Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties. Please visit our website at https://ntbha.org/
For more information about Youth Crisis Outreach Teams, please see https://ntbha.org/patient-resources-info/glossary/

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor all who gave the last full measure of devotion for our freedom and liberty.

05/21/2026

TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Summer travel time will soon be here, and the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority wishes you safe travels! If you or a traveling companion lives with a mental health or substance use condition, resources are available if needed. The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) oversees publicly-funded mental health and substance use recovery services in Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties in Texas.
Please visit our website at https://ow.ly/cscY50Z2uCg for information on our crisis services, provider locations, etc. Our website has a language function that allows readers to translate it into 18 different languages.
Here are some travel tips we’ve collected to help make your journey even more enjoyable.

Before Your Trip
• Be sure your passport, visa, and travel documents are up-to-date if traveling abroad.
• Confirm flight, travel route, and lodging arrangements.
• Visit your health care provider 4-6 weeks before you travel to:
-Get required vaccinations, medicines, medical supplies, etc.
-Discuss any mental health or substance use concerns.
-Be sure that your prescriptions are up-to-date, and carry a list of them from your health
care provider with you as you travel. It could be helpful in case of emergency.
-Refill your prescriptions so that you have a sufficient supply for your entire travel
schedule. Do not plan to purchase prescription medications at your destination.
-Remember that prescription formularies can vary from country to country, or even
state to state. A prescription available where you live may not be available at the place
you plan to visit.
-Obtain an official copy of your immunization records if you are traveling abroad.
-If your trip is a long one, or if you are moving, ask for a referral for a mental health
professional at your destination.
• Check your health insurance to see if it will cover any medical expenses you may incur
while traveling. Consider if additional insurance is advisable.
• When you pack for your trip, be sure to bring all of your medications, and in sufficient
quantity for the duration of your trip, plus extra for unexpected travel delays. Be sure to
place meds in your carry-on bag as a precaution, in case checked baggage is late, diverted,
or lost.
• Leave early for flights, trains, etc. to allow extra time to get through security.

On Your Trip
• Keep your medication with you and in a safe place, so they don’t get lost.
• Set an alarm to remind yourself of your medication regimen, so you don’t miss a dose.
• Take prescribed medications as directed. Only take medications prescribed by your
doctor that you bring from home.
• Counterfeit drugs are common, and often are contaminated with harmful substances, so
do not plan to purchase pharmaceuticals at your destination.
• Practice healthy habits like eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and exercising. Bring
healthy snacks with you, especially if your medication should be taken with food.
• Get help if you feel stressed, anxious, depressed, very angry, or if you want to hurt yourself
or someone else. If you are traveling to the Dallas area, you will find behavioral health
emergency and crisis information at https://ow.ly/cscY50Z2uCg
• Call 911 in case of life-threatening emergency.
• Find out about local medical services to call on in case of emergency.
• Seek support from peer-led groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

References:
US Centers for Disease Control-Traveler’s Health-Mental Health and Travel
https://ow.ly/sQCk50Z2uCh

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Tips to Stay Mentally Healthy While Traveling-by Luna Greenstein https://ow.ly/WsBr50Z2uCa

Psychology Today-Travelling with a Mental Health Condition: 10 Tips-by Erika Nielsen
https://ow.ly/voxs50Z2uCf

05/20/2026

National Treatment Court Month
Many thanks to Dallas County Commissioner Theresa Daniel for sponsoring and to the Dallas County Commissioners Court for approving the resolution recognizing National Treatment Court Month. Treatment courts combine judicial supervision, treatment, accountability, and support to address behavioral health conditions, reduce repeat offenses, and save taxpayer money.
Link to Dallas County National Treatment Courts Resolution

05/19/2026

NAMI Walk-North Texas 2026
Congratulations to NAMI North Texas Executive Director Kasey Smith, Fundraising & Donor Engagement Coordinator Juliana Lawley, and the entire NAMI North Texas Team for a fun and fabulous NAMI Walk! The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority was pleased to be a sponsor! Rene Hampton, Anthony Garcia, Janie Metzinger and Issac Rodriguez welcomed lots of walkers and visitors to our information table.

05/18/2026

Teen Mental Health First Aid
As the 2025-2026 school year is winding down, school districts are already planning for 2026-2027! Kellye Shipman, Director of Counseling for the New Braunfels Independent School District, had an innovative idea for introducing Teen Mental Health First Aid for the Freshman Class right at the beginning of the school year. The strategy had tremendous results, with 93% of students responding that they felt somewhat confident or very confident after taking the MHFA Teen course, that they could recognize the signs that a friend might be experiencing a challenge related to mental health or substance use. 89% of the students indicated that they felt somewhat comfortable or very comfortable starting a conversation to support the friend. Check out her story from Mental Health First https://ow.ly/O50450Z0rwN https://ow.ly/xTEt50Z0rwL
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is evidence-based training teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Teen MHFA is specifically designed to address adolescent students.
The North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) oversees the publicly-funded mental health and substance use recovery services in Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties. Please visit our website at https://ow.ly/mBpt50Z0rwM

Bringing Hope and Healing Serving Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro & Rockwall Counties with Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment and Services 24/7 Crisis Hotline (866) 260-8000 or (844) 672-5700 In case of life-threatening emergency, please call 911. Community Services For community clinic...

05/15/2026

Dr. Jerry Taylor Speaks on “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority was honored to welcome Dr. Jerry Taylor once again as a speaker for both staff and the community. Dr. Taylor discussed “How To Know A Person” by David Brooks. The presentation was engaging, and thought-provoking. Small breakout discussions focused on important topics affecting mental wellness today, including how technology can sometimes interfere with our ability to build authentic human relationships. One key takeaway from the conversation was the importance of reconnecting through genuine communication and learning how to truly listen to one another. Many thanks to Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) for their hospitality.

05/14/2026

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority was pleased support the Hope Rising Conference at City on a Hill Church in Fort Worth. The conference was a tremendous success, bringing together mental health professionals, faith leaders, family members, and community advocates for a full day of education, connection, and inspiration in the heart of the DFW metroplex. The event featured presentations and conversations around mental wellness, collaboration, and strengthening support systems across our communities.
Special thanks to Nick Overbeck, LPC-S, LCDC, Lee Long, EdD, LPC-S, Rajesh Harripersad, EdD, LCDC, Tikka Brown, Andy Wolfskill, Sarah Oliveira McDonald, James Boone, MD, and Lindsey Malholtra, LCSW-S for their excellent presentations, to the Hope Rising Planning Committee-Erin Berkley, Alice Chase, Megan Bolin, Sylvia Orozco-Joseph, and Eric Ayles, and to City on a Hill Church for their wonderful hospitality.