May 24, 2022, is a date that will forever haunt Robb Elementary School and the people of Uvalde, Texas. For those in school, the end of May signifies the end of the school year. It marks that time when summer break is around the corner, school assignments are winding down (or almost nonexistent), end-of-year classroom celebration parties happen, along with end-of-year assemblies. May 24, 2022, quickly turned into a parent’s, teacher’s, and student’s worst nightmare. May 24, 2022, ended in tragedy when 19 students and two teachers were callously murdered in a school shooting.[1]
Since the 1999 Columbine High School mass shooting, 14 similar events[2] involving schools and colleges have occurred.[3] When these events occur, impacted communities are left grappling with the aftermath of their wake for decades. One thing is certain, these communities need ongoing support and access to mental health services to aid in their recovery.
Increasing awareness is an important first step to reducing the stigma that was long associated with mental health in the United States. Recovery from these traumatic events can take years and is typically not a linear path.[4] This means that individuals seeking recovery often experience setbacks in conjunction with their progress.
Aftermath
After the shooting, the situation in Uvalde became tense[5] and people called out for change not just in Uvalde, but all over the United States. One of the main issues is that published reports appear to show an inappropriately slow and “lackadaisical,” police response to the shooting, which may possibly have resulted in more deaths.[6] Further, the tragedy left a community to pick up the pieces and attempt to move forward after it shattered the safety they felt with their neighbors and the protection they believed they had from their law enforcement officers.
So how does a community that suffered such a tragedy move forward? In addition to impending policy changes, there can be no true move forward without an open discussion of mental health.[7] After mass shootings, it is all too common for the topic of mental health to come up.[8] There is also much debate as to whether mental health is truly the cause of these types of incidents. But those things, while important in their own rights, are not what this article is about. This article is about the mental health needs the Uvalde community now faces to combat the tragedy that changed their lives forever.
Mental Health in the United States
The topic of mental health is becoming more mainstream and socially acceptable[9] and that is especially true in the United States.[10] In fact, it is becoming more socially acceptable to seek mental health care without feeling shame for doing so. In previous years, needing to speak to a therapist, be prescribed medication, or taking a step back from a situation to preserve mental health, was viewed as being weak or not strong enough. But Seeking mental health care is finally gaining traction as a brave thing to do. And it is brave. It is brave because it takes courage to admit the need for help and to look introspectively to move through the current struggle.
Access to mental health services is also becoming a discussion point in various industries and workplaces[11]. Stigmatization is decreasing and the culture is shifting due to several factors:
- Collectively, employees indicated workplace factors were having an impact on mental health;
- Employees changed jobs for mental health reasons; and
- The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these conversations.[12]
Further, it is being discussed more in graduate and professional school programs.[13] Here, mental health discussions are increasing because graduate students are more than three times as likely to face mental health challenges[14] due to trying to balance the demanding nature of the programs with their other obligations. Additionally, various law enforcement branches are beginning to incorporate a mental health unit to respond appropriately to mental health crisis situations.[15]
Without this kind of access to mental health services, mental health struggles may remain unresolved and become worse.[16] Having the ability to seek mental health services early can make full recovery much more attainable compared to seeking mental health services too late.[17] Of course, Sometimes, people simply may not have the option to seek care earlier.
Mental Health in Texas
Texas ranks 50th amongst the states in the United States for mental healthcare.[18] Given Governor Abbott’s stated strong focus on mental health care (as opposed to passing gun control laws), and this abysmal ranking, this creates a significant window of opportunity for the state to address its mental healthcare gaps after the Uvalde school shooting.[19] However, Uvalde, Texas, like many other areas of the state, lacks adequate access to mental health care.[20] This may not be new information, but it is especially important to increase awareness of the issue at this time. Texas Governor Abbott called for increased mental health awareness days after the Uvalde shooting, but it yields the question, what good is this call to action if one cannot adequately access the mental healthcare system?[21]
Unfortunately, Uvalde, Texas is a classic example of the predicament Texas encounters with mental health care. Communities like Uvalde are often described as “mental health deserts.”[22] A mental health desert signifies sparse access to care (and sometimes nonexistent). Uvalde is a rural community in Texas, and rural communities are at increased risk for mental health problems (e.g. anxiety, depression, suicide),[23] and like other rural communities, they also often do not have access to mental health services.
Adequate mental health staff, as well as the number of beds available for mental health care in hospitals, is too low to meet demand. This results in access to mental health services continuing to be limited in rural areas. Essentially, a cycle is created from this process: lack of funding creates reduced access and eventually, people may not seek services as often – resulting in greater mental health needs and issues.[24] Further, insufficient funding has exacerbated the mental health problems in Texas.[25] Specifically, Governor Abbott has actually cut funding regarding mental health . In April 2022, Governor Abbott cut $211 million from state agencies overseeing state mental health services.[26] Governor Abbott then provided back less than 1% of that back (1.25 million) to the Uvalde school district for trauma-informed counseling.[27]
Where Do We Go From Here?
This recent allocation of funding by Governor Abbott is a step in the right direction to helping Texas, and specifically the community in Uvalde, increase the resources for mental health care. However, this alone will not fully address the mental health needs of the community. While Governor Abbott’s allocation of mental health funding to the Uvalde school system is a start, there will need to be continued allocation for these children and additional funding to meet the community’s needs. For example, Uvalde does not have an in-patient mental health facility. In-patient mental healthcare facilities are critical to aiding individuals experiencing mental health crises such as attempted suicide, substance abuse, and other addiction disorders.
While there is also a mental health hotline available for individuals to call, this is a short-term solution to an issue that often needs long-term management. Individuals experiencing mental illness can (and often do) lead relatively normal lives. However, the caveat to this is that there must be access to appropriate care (e.g. medication and psychotherapy).
The tragedy at Robb Elementary undoubtedly left the Uvalde community in need of ongoing mental health services. To meet these needs, resources will need to be allocated toward mental health care and a greater prioritization will need to be given to mental health to help the community recover. To do so, politicians must truly advocate for this change. Although the perception around mental health is changing not just in Texas, but in the United States and around the world, there is still a need for more to be done in order to fully help those in need obtain access to the resources that they require.
Mental Health Resources
If you, or someone you know, are experiencing a mental health crisis, please review the following resources:[28]
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
- Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255, option 1
- 24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text TX to 741741
- Texas 2-1-1: Dial 211, option 8
- 24/7 Local Mental Health Authority Crisis Hotline: (855) 937-2372
Further, you can utilize the “find a provider” function at https://mentalhealthtx.org, or the “Find a Therapist” on https://www.psychologytoday.com/us.
Specifically, Psychology Today’s website allows you to find a therapist and filter the type of care you are looking for and whether the provider takes insurance. The site also indicates what insurance(s) the provider accepts. This resource is especially helpful in finding a therapist close to your area, even in rural areas.
Additionally, one benefit after the COVID-19 pandemic is that teletherapy is more available. However, insurance coverage on this service may vary. For specific teletherapy services, there are now companies that provide access to mental health at more flexible and affordable rates compared to traditional psychotherapy. There is an indication that teletherapy is just as effective compared to traditional, in-person psychotherapy.[29]
Finally, learning about trauma-informed care can be important. Trauma-informed care shifts the dynamic with trauma survivors, and it is centered around asking what happened to you, as opposed to what is wrong with you? This is a powerful shift for trauma survivors. Trauma-informed care can be implemented on an organizational level (e.g. within workplaces, professional schools) and paired with clinical care. More information about trauma-informed care can be found at: https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/.
Written by:
Roxanna Maiberger
Law Clerk
WATTS GUERRA LLP
Four Dominion Drive, Bldg. Three, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Phone: (210) 447-0500
Frank Guerra
Board Certified – Personal Injury Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
WATTS GUERRA LLP
Four Dominion Drive, Bldg. Three, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Phone: (210) 447-0500
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