Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County is a collaboration of public and private agencies, as well as individuals who need mental health care services and their caregivers. The organization works to revolutionize the mental health service delivery system in Tarrant County, Texas. Its members develop plans for long-term changes in the system while addressing key issues and providing immediate solutions where possible. Mental Health Connection is supported through membership dues, sponsorships, grants, and private donations.

 

No wrong door to the right mental health resources

 

To create and implement a system of care in which all providers are "connected" so services are not duplicated. People who need mental health services will be able to access them easily from a variety of providers in a seamless manner that is "hassle-free." They will not have to repeat the same story to numerous different agencies or fill out duplicate applications and forms. Instead, a seamless system of mental health care can be accessed with only one phone call that results in connection to the needed services in a compassionate and timely manner. Because there are immediate crises that face mental health care in Tarrant County, the Mental Health Connection works constantly to address issues that will enhance the current system, while developing and implementing its long-term goals. 

 

In September 1999, an armed man entered a local church and began shooting. He killed seven youth and adults and injured numerous others before committing suicide. Subsequent analysis showed that this man suffered from some form of mental illness and had not received the services he needed through the existing mental health services system.

Several key players in the mental health community already had been meeting as an outgrowth of the legislatively mandated Community Management Team (CMT), which had been in existence since the late 1980’s. In 1999 the CMT became frustrated with the lack of services for children and adolescents and decided to involve other community players in the discussions. After the shooting, Kenneth Barr (the Mayor of Fort Worth at the time) approached the group and asked if they would develop a plan that incorporated services for adults as well. A full-day retreat in October, hosted by Cook Children’s Medical Center, was attended by CEOs of local mental health agencies and professional advocacy organizations who began developing a plan for a seamless system of mental health care. Mental Health Connection was born from that initial group.

Today Mental Health Connection enjoys active participation from more than 150 members representing public and private provider agencies, health care providers, advocacy organizations, elected officials, educators, the judiciary, the criminal justice system, clergy, consumers and their caregivers, and other concerned citizens.