March 2025

This month marks my one-year anniversary at Integral Care.

These last 12 months have been a confirmation of two things. The first is that mental health care matters. Travis County is home to over 1.3 million people; in 2022, 32.3% of them reported experiencing 5 or more days of poor mental health. There is significant need for mental health care in our community, and I take pride in the impactful work Integral Care does to improve the lives of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Providing effective mental health care means coming from a place where we see ourselves in those we serve.

The other important confirmation is that innovation in behavioral healthcare is essential in shaping the services we offer. When mental health professionals are able to dedicate more of their time to conducting assessment and treatment, coordinating therapy and medications, or meeting the holistic needs of people, our organization will be even better equipped to deliver effective care. I am committed to ensuring that Integral Care continues to take an innovative approach to providing high quality behavioral health services. 

There isn't a day when I don't reflect on how transformative access to care can be. We are seeing more acceptance, honesty, and initiative surrounding mental health care in our community; we are proactively working on ways to support the staff who do this incredibly difficult but meaningful work with their own mental health. We are gaining more insight and perspective into what there is to gain by providing optimal care early and often.

As I begin my second year as Integral Care's CEO, I’m inspired by these insights and driven by the incredible team I work alongside. Together, we can create a future where healthy living is accessible to all.

In this edition, you'll find highlights on:

• Integral Care on Wheels;
• An upcoming event in collaboration with Austin Public Health;
• Funding for the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT);
• Emergency Service Utilization during FY24;
• Workplace wellness from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing;
• Our IDD community event;
• Mental Health First Aid trainings;
• Hill Country Ride for AIDS.

Integral Care on Wheels 🚐

I'm elated to share that we are making very good progress on our Integral Care on Wheels fundraiser! We have successfully secured over $169,000, or 25% of our fundraising goal.

Community Event in Collaboration with Austin Public Health!

On Monday, April 7th at 12 PM, through the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Mental Health Workgroup, our collaborators at Austin Public Health will be hosting a virtual public health forum at which I'm honored to be presenting and speaking!

As part of National Public Health Awareness Week, this event will serve as a connector between individuals and families in Austin/Travis county and mental health resources that support their well-being.

Community health care doesn't happen without you; I hope you'll join us for what is looking to be an exciting event!

Integral Care's Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team Receives Additional Funding for Expansion

Fiscal Year FY24 Impact

Integral Care's impact on reducing emergency service utilization for the neighbors we provide care to during FY24 was remarkable.

Psychiatric State hospitalizations saw:

decrease in stay days.

decrease in admissions.

Private psychiatric hospital use declined, with:

fewer stay days.

fewer admissions overall.

Medical inpatient services experienced:

reduction in stay days.

fewer admissions.

In total, these reductions brought an estimated $83.5 million in cost savings to our community, averaging $3,202 in savings per client. The takeaway here is clear: Integral Care's interventions in improving care coordination and reducing reliance on high-cost emergency services are extremely effective. Investing in proactive, community-based care allows us to both achieve better health outcomes and optimize resources.

Making Workplaces Healthier: Ideas and Innovations for a Better Work Environment

Looking after the bodies and minds of our neighbors is important work that cannot happen without us looking after our workforce. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, through Mental Health First Aid, recently shared ideas and strategies for how workplaces can reimagine themselves for the health and longevity of employees.

The article has proven to be a great thought starter for us, and I hope you'll take the time to read and share it with those shaping workplace culture where you work as well.

Mental Health First Aid Trainings

Integral Care has been providing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for the past 15 years. Giving community members tools to care for each other increases access and engagement to behavioral healthcare.

Last month, the Mental Health First Aid team:

• Trained 391 community members;
• Taught MHFA modules for Adult and Youth.

To date, for 2025, the MHFA team has completed 22 trainings and trained 6 military-affiliated community members.

In-person Adult MHFA and in-person Youth MHFA trainings are coming up on March 28 (register HERE), April 4 (register HERE), and April 18 (register HERE); we hope that you'll join us in learning to use this resource for the health of our community.

Thank You for Celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month With Us!

Integral Care's Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Division hosted its first community event at our St. John's clinic earlier this month, and it was a resounding success!

I would like to thank the Integral Care staff, collaborators, and other community organizations who all came together to make such a wonderful day possible.

Hill Country Ride for AIDS: Benefitting Integral Care's C.A.R.E. Program

When you join and support the Hill Country Ride for AIDS, you are supporting the largest fundraiser for HIV/AIDS services in Central Texas. Integral Care's C.A.R.E. Program is one of the beneficiaries of this incredible event.

The next training ride leading up to the main event is happening this Saturday, March 29th in San Antonio, TX! Join other riders at Mission Trail for a 9 AM meet up and a 9:30 AM ride out. Learn more about how you can directly support Integral Care's C.A.R.E. program through Hill Country Ride for AIDS HERE.

Resources to Share with your Network.

• Integral Care's 24/7 Helpline: (512) 472-HELP (4357)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
• VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers information, support, and resources for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.
• American Psychiatric Association (APA): Provides information on mental health, including resources for finding psychiatrists and mental health services.
• Therapy and Counseling Services: Platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, or local mental health clinics offer online counseling services and resources.

Thank you for supporting our vision of healthy living for everyone.

Sincerely,

Jeff Richardson, Chief Executive Officer