The Texoma community, especially Grayson and Fannin counties, is already aware of mental health needs. The Texoma Health Foundation has begun a drive to understand and address mental health issues, with widespread support from education, government, social help agencies and the medical community.

Several agencies, such as TCOG, school districts, and industry have adopted the “Me Too” program, making it acceptable for people to talk more openly about mental health issues.

However, there are not enough mental health care providers in the region to meet the needs, especially the needs of children. In a recent Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team needs assessment, common themes included:

A chronic lack of providers, although this appears more significant in Fannin County, where there is a lack of individual clinicians, mental health provider organizations, and pediatricians; and

A need to continue to focus on anti-stigma efforts to improve service engagement for children, youth, and their families

Several cities in the region, along with economic development corporations, are addressing the shortage of safe, affordable housing, with a variety of strategies to build more safe and affordable housing.

Progress has been slow due to a lack of support from some communities and a shortage of skilled workers. Lack of employment and low wages contribute to families’ inability to find affordable, or workforce, housing.

An increase in home prices in newer areas while good for the communities overall, can also be problematic.

Utility assistance remains an issue, with TCOG providing the major assistance, region wide, for this need. Unfortunately, funding is limited and not all needs can be met. This is one area that needs much more attention region-wide. The need for utility assistance is a condition of poverty, and along with rent assistance, is related to affordable housing.