Equity & Access · Texas behavioral health news
Texas ranks third worst in nation for mental health care - CW33.com
Mental Health Equity (Google News) · August 13, 2026
In plain language
A new study reveals that Texas ranks as the third-worst state in the nation for access to mental health care. Researchers measured how many mental health facilities are available per person and how far residents must travel to reach them. While Dallas County provides better access than its neighboring counties, Texas overall has fewer clinics and longer travel times compared to most other states. Some areas, like Ellis County, struggle with much longer travel distances and very few local resources.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Texas ranks 48th out of 50 states for mental health care access.
- The state averages only 1.4 mental health facilities for every 100,000 residents.
- Texas residents must travel an average of 6.6 miles to reach the nearest mental health facility.
- Dallas County ranks sixth in Texas for access, while Ellis County ranks as the lowest in the state.
- Maverick County currently offers the best access to mental health care among all Texas counties.
- Utah, Maryland, and Connecticut were identified as the top three states for mental health care access.
Texas ranks third worst in nation for mental health care CW33.com
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