Strategic Whole-person Lifespan Approaches and Networks to Strengthen Systems for Mental Wellness across Ten United States-Mexico Border Counties
1
Public Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, United States
2
Family Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Permian Basin, Texas, United States
3
Aliviane Inc., El Paso, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The rural United States- Mexico Border communities in West Texas at high risk for Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) and Substance Use disorder (SUD) and also experience health professional shortage, transportation barriers, unemployment, low access to healthcare, lack of health insurance, and poverty1,2. The Minority AIDS Research Center (MARC), University of Texas at El Paso is implementing a whole-person lifespan approach for community capacity- building across 10 counties to strengthen mental healthcare systems.
METHODS:
Since 2012, we have expanded a community-grounded framework for simultaneous healthcare workforce development, health education, services-linkage, treatment and, recovery in Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Maverick, Pecos, Presidio, Uvalde, and Val Verde Counties, TX. Our community network of stakeholders have strategically secured resources for addressing SUD, SMI, HIV and HCV among women, children (neonates, adolescents & youth), young adults and men through multiple public health programs.
RESULTS:
As of date, through our capacity-building strategies and holistic approach, over 5000 individuals have received services for prevention, treatment and recovery, 570 first responders and mental health professionals trained in crises de-escalation and linkage to services, 1000+ campus members engaged in suicide prevention response, 82 behavioral health professionals placed in rural counties, and 60 community health workers trained. Currently we are implementing our region-wide capacity building to continue to serve community residents and, provide behavioral health workforce development. Priority communities members’ feedback indicate that simultaneous wrap around services such as healthy foods, childcare resources, employment and housing assistance and, parenting intervention in addition to SMI and SUD treatment has enabled better health outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mental health care systems in underserved, rural and/or international border communities need capacity building in individual, family, community and organizational domains simultaneously. We will share our strategies and evidence for strengthening rural/underserved systems for sustained outcomes for workforce building, and holistic care provision.
The rural United States- Mexico Border communities in West Texas at high risk for Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) and Substance Use disorder (SUD) and also experience health professional shortage, transportation barriers, unemployment, low access to healthcare, lack of health insurance, and poverty1,2. The Minority AIDS Research Center (MARC), University of Texas at El Paso is implementing a whole-person lifespan approach for community capacity- building across 10 counties to strengthen mental healthcare systems.
METHODS:
Since 2012, we have expanded a community-grounded framework for simultaneous healthcare workforce development, health education, services-linkage, treatment and, recovery in Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Maverick, Pecos, Presidio, Uvalde, and Val Verde Counties, TX. Our community network of stakeholders have strategically secured resources for addressing SUD, SMI, HIV and HCV among women, children (neonates, adolescents & youth), young adults and men through multiple public health programs.
RESULTS:
As of date, through our capacity-building strategies and holistic approach, over 5000 individuals have received services for prevention, treatment and recovery, 570 first responders and mental health professionals trained in crises de-escalation and linkage to services, 1000+ campus members engaged in suicide prevention response, 82 behavioral health professionals placed in rural counties, and 60 community health workers trained. Currently we are implementing our region-wide capacity building to continue to serve community residents and, provide behavioral health workforce development. Priority communities members’ feedback indicate that simultaneous wrap around services such as healthy foods, childcare resources, employment and housing assistance and, parenting intervention in addition to SMI and SUD treatment has enabled better health outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mental health care systems in underserved, rural and/or international border communities need capacity building in individual, family, community and organizational domains simultaneously. We will share our strategies and evidence for strengthening rural/underserved systems for sustained outcomes for workforce building, and holistic care provision.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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