HEROES-Houston ER Opioid System

06/01/2026

UTHealth Texas ICON
• Phone: 833-696-5102
• Direct Referral: https://go.uth.edu/iconreferral

✨️ No Cost Services include: tele-medicine, counseling, peer support, counseling/ peer groups, and referrals to community services. ✨️

UTHealth Texas ICON

• Phone: 833-696-5102
• Email: icon@uth.tmc.edu
• Direct Referral: https://go.uth.edu/iconreferral

Texas ICON supports treatment, recovery, overdose prevention and education, and patient navigation to reduce the burden of and throughout the State of Texas.

❣️Counties Served Below❣️

⭐️ Region 2 ⭐️
1. Angelina
2. Brazoria
3. Galveston
4. Hardin
5. Jasper
6. Jefferson
7. Liberty
8. Nacogdoches
9. Newton
10. Orange
11. Polk
12. Sabine
13. San Augustine
14. San Jacinto
15. Shelby
16. Tyler

⭐️ Region 3 ⭐️
1. Austin
2. Calhoun
3. Chambers
4. Colorado
5. Fort Bend
6. Harris
7. Matagorda
8. Waller
9. Wharton

⭐️ Region 4 ⭐️
1. Aransas
2. Bee
3. Brooks
4. DeWitt
5. Duval
6. Goliad
7. Gonzales
8. Jackson
9. Jim Wells
10. Karnes
11. Kenedy
12. Kleberg
13. Lavaca
14. Live Oak
15. Nueces
16. Refugio
17. San Patricio
18. Victoria

⭐️ Region 7 ⭐️
1. Bastrop
2. Caldwell
3. Fayette
4. Hays/ Comal
5. Lee
6. Travis

UTHealth Houston
McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston

05/26/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! The Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research (C-BEAR) at UTHealth Houston reaffirms its commitment to advancing research, education, and community partnerships that improve behavioral health outcomes across Texas and beyond. Mental health challenges affect individuals, families, first responders, healthcare professionals, and entire communities. Through innovative programs, evidence-based research, and collaborative outreach, C-BEAR works to better understand behavioral emergencies, addiction, trauma, and recovery while helping develop solutions that save lives and strengthen resilience.
This month is an important reminder that mental health is essential to overall health. By promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting access to care, we can create healthier and more compassionate communities. C-BEAR remains dedicated to building a future where research, prevention, and intervention come together to support hope, healing, and long-term recovery for all. Need help? Contact us at: 833-696-5102

05/22/2026

Jessica Yeager, BSW, NCPRSS, PSS, PRS/ ICPR, RSPS, presented at Kaohsiung Medical University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, while studying abroad with the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work. She brought awareness to substance misuse, the child welfare system, and the importance of community based resources in the United States. The Center for Behavioral Emergency & Addiction Research (C-BEAR) strives to provide a social return on investment aiming to help individuals fulfill their purpose-driven lives in long-term recovery. Patrick Leung, MSW, PhD, Professor at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work is pictured with her.

05/21/2026

This morning the Houston/Galveston Regional PIO Network hosted a panel discussion, “Aftermath: Managing Stress After Tragic Events,” at the Texas Department of Transportation Houston District Headquarters Auditorium (7600 Washington Avenue).
Panelists included Dr. Thomas D. McNeese – Director of the Behavioral Health Division, Harris County Sheriff’s Office,
Dr. JoAnna Snider – Staff Psychologist, Houston Police Department and Heather Arnold – Director of Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Houston Fire Department, among others. C-BEAR participated at the end with a presentation from Marco Bracamontes, Senior Communications Specialist, and Simone Hull, Training Coordinator, on PATCH (Peer support, Assistance, Training, Counseling Helpline). Representatives from first responder agencies were highly interested in the program that addresses behavioral health issues among their colleagues. Thanks to organizers Danny Perez from TxDOT, Lee Woodward and Johnny Morales from City of LaPorte.

05/12/2026

On Friday, May 8, Spindletop Center in Beaumont, Texas, had the ACTION Community Awareness Event hosted by Spindletop Peer department. It gathered a diverse crowd of community members including people living with IDD, SUD and behavioral health diagnoses together with services that support healthy community living. Mary Boone, Texas ICON liaison, and coach Ned Hanley spoke about the origin and dangers of fentanyl. The crowd was engaged and grateful to learn about Naloxone, the warning signs of an opioid overdose, and the effective administration of Narcan. The audience also learned how to use the QR code to gather information for research.
Several people asked for Narcan and the few remaining boxes were donated to Spindletop Center for people in need.

05/11/2026

✨️ No-cost outpatient slots available. ✨️
➡️ CALL TODAY! ⬅️
UTHealth Honor's Heroes/ Texas ICON
HEROES-Houston ER Opioid System
Serving 49 Counties!
• Phone: 833-696-5102
• Email: icon@uth.tmc.edu
• Direct Referral:

05/08/2026

Today, C-BEAR Director of Operations Andrea Yatsco, PhD, and Medical Director Shabana Walia, MD, participated in the Texas Educator's Collaborative for Health Professions-Southeast (TEACH-S) that took place at MDAnderson's Duncan Building. Their presentation "Bridging Medical Education & Substance use Treatment Through Interprofessional Training" attracted attendees from all over the state. TEACH-S annual educational symposium is designed for individuals interested in sharing scholarly innovations with a regional community of health professions educators.

05/02/2026

Busy as always! This week PATCH training coordinator Simone Hull was teaching at Houston Fire Department Academy Officer Development Center. The audience was integrated by newly promoted senior captains who learned about 'The Physiology & Neurobiology of Stress.' This topic is key to understanding addiction and recovery among first responders. PATCH provides confidential behavioral health support exclusively for first responders and healthcare workers in Texas. For assistance call: 833-367-4689

04/27/2026

PATCH training coordinator Simone Hull addressed the friends and family of Houston Fire Department graduates as their newly minted cadets embark on their first responder careers. In a presentation entitled “How to Speak to your First Responder,” Simone provided insight into the unique risk factors and experiences of mental health and substance use concerns present in first responder populations. She also encouraged supportive and open communication strategies to remove stigma and any other barriers that prevent first responders from receiving the help they need to remain mentally healthy.
PATCH provides confidential behavioral health support exclusively for first responders and healthcare workers in Texas. For assistance call: 833-367-4689