The El Paso, Texas, region received $50 million to expand mental health access and resources, according to a June 21 commentary published in El Paso Matters.
State lawmakers who represent the region helped secure the funding through Senate Bill 30, which will be allocated toward the El Paso Psychiatric Center to acquire land and plan new developments.
The center opened 30 years ago and has received little investment to increase their 74-bed capacity, according to the commentary, which was written by the El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium legislative task force. The consortium was formed 10 years ago to advocate for the expansion of behavioral health services in El Paso. It plans to use the $50 million to establish a psychiatric emergency room, crisis stabilization and step-down services within the state hospital.