TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Central Texas is finding new ways to support those suffering with mental illness.
This week, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Sheriff Sally Hernandez implemented a new Mental Health Diversion Steering Committee to help people with mental illnesses who are accused of committing minor offenses.
The program looks to offer psychiatric assistance as an alternative to jail sentences for people accused of committing minor crimes. According to Brown, the committee can also provide resources to individuals currently behind bars.
"Our jail is the largest mental health facility in the county, and that's just not acceptable," Brown said.
He believes that once people get out of jail, it's likely, "They will be back in the same situation they were in, that led them to be there in the first place."
It's Brown's and Hernandez's goal to change that. The pair plan on doing so with the help of other law enforcement officials and mental health centers across the county.
Starting this week, the committee will meet once a month to discuss ideas such as improving responses to mental health crises, finding people who could benefit from assistance and helping previously incarcerated individuals reenter society.
While a new center won't be done for roughly five years, a Crisis Care Diversion Pilot Program was recently approved and can take effect immediately.
Looking ahead, Brown also said the new committee, "Not only sets a model for our county but has the potential to become a blueprint for similar efforts across the state."
With Texas named one of the states with the lowest number of mental health treatment facilities, the Mental Health Diversion Steering Committee is offering one way to help tackle this issue.