Texoma is set to see a significant boost in mental health resources thanks to a $12 million investment aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis in the region.
The funding comes from a generous $6 million donation by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, which was matched by the Texoma Health Foundation Board. According to Michelle Lemming, CEO of the Texoma Community Foundation, the initiative will have a far-reaching impact across the four counties of Texoma. “This $12 million investment will support mental well-being programs across our region, and it’s a reward that will truly make a difference,” Lemming said.
Mental health issues are on the rise in rural areas like Texoma, which has some of the highest suicide rates in both Texas and Oklahoma. “We face some of the highest suicide rates in the nation, which is why these funds are so crucial,” Lemming added.
For many residents, access to mental health care has been a significant challenge. Tim Millerick, Executive Director of the Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team, pointed to the alarming trend of individuals turning to emergency rooms for help. “We were in a bad place, with high ER visits, because people either didn’t know where to go or had no other options,” Millerick said.
Others have ended up incarcerated, where their mental health needs often go unmet. Grayson County Sheriff Tom Watt expressed concern about individuals with severe mental health issues being stuck in the jail system without proper care. “You’d be surprised at how long someone with major mental health problems can sit in jail, simply because we don’t have the resources to get them the help they need,” Watt said. “If we can divert people from jail and get them the treatment they need, then we’ve done a real service to our community.”
The new funding will be used to address these challenges through a comprehensive regional strategy that aims to make mental health support more accessible and to raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being. Lemming explained, “Our vision is to inspire hope and empower purpose for every Texoman in our four counties. We’re working to normalize mental health conversations, identify issues early, and ensure a strong workforce is ready to provide care.”
The $12 million investment will be divided into two main strategies: the Regional Strategy and the County Strategy. The bulk of the funds—$8 million—will support the Regional Strategy, which focuses on education, early intervention, and workforce development. “We want to create an environment where mental health is no longer stigmatized, where people recognize the signs early, and where they know how to take care of themselves,” Lemming said.
The remaining $4 million will be allocated to the County Strategy, with each of the four counties—Bryan, Fannin, Marshall, and Grayson—receiving $1 million. Each county will focus on addressing local mental health needs in a way that aligns with existing community efforts. For Grayson County, the funds will be used to enhance crisis stabilization programs. “The goal is to ensure that if someone is in crisis, their first contact is with the appropriate resources, whether it’s the ER or law enforcement,” Lemming explained. “We want to make sure that there’s no wrong door when it comes to getting the help they need.”
In Bryan and Marshall counties, the focus will be on school-based mental health programs. “Both counties are focusing on youth mental wellbeing, with Bryan County emphasizing social connections and resiliency, and Marshall County implementing after-school programs for students,” Lemming said.
With the investment in both regional and county-specific strategies, mental health advocates in Texoma are hopeful that this funding will help reduce the stigma around mental health care, provide timely intervention for those in need, and improve overall access to mental health services across the region.
