Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

03/10/2026

Texas colleges are home to nearly two million students who are balancing work, family, and academics on top of their coursework. Their mental health matters, and now there's a statewide plan to support it.

The Texas Postsecondary Student Mental Health Coalition has released Strengthening Texas College Student Mental Health: A State of Texas Playbook, a first-of-its-kind guide for higher education leaders built around a public health approach to student well-being, including the Minding College Minds™ framework as a core strategy.

The playbook offers college leaders practical, evidence-based guidance for building comprehensive campus mental health systems, from prevention and early intervention to crisis response, grounded in data and designed for real-world implementation.

This is how policy, practice, and partnership come together for students to support their mental health.

https://mmhpi.org/mindingcollegeminds/

Emotional stress and personal mental health challenges are the top reasons students in both two- and four-year degree programs consider stopping their coursework. Over the last decade, numerous studies have documented increasing rates of depression and anxiety among college students, negatively affe...

02/23/2026

As a result of the generosity of Communities Foundation of Texas, the Meadows Institute announced today that we have begun operating the Caruth Police Institute, the nation's premier resource for advancing public safety leadership, innovation, and officer wellness. CPI provides consulting, technical assistance, and training to police departments and municipal governments and helps improve relationships between officers and the communities they serve.

Scott Donaldson, the vice president of CPI, will serve as its director, and Tarrick McGuire, the chief of the Alexandria, Virginia, police department, will serve as the president of the executive board.

“The Caruth Police Institute has long served as a leading voice here in North Texas and across the state and nation for innovative efforts that support both officers and residents,” said Wayne White, the president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas. "A safer community is a stronger community, and increasing safety includes investing in training, education, and implementing best practices.”

Learn more about the important work of the Caruth Police Institute here: https://lnkd.in/gcHmGMtw

02/13/2026

Don't forget to register for our free, virtual training on Essential Foundation in Collaborative Problem Solving® (Level 1). Spots are filling fast!

This three-day training will equip frontline professionals and practitioners such as social workers, clinicians, QMHPs, caseworkers, educators and school staff, family partners, and residential staff with the tools to help children and families build skills in problem-solving, flexibility, and frustration tolerance, while also improving relationships and reducing challenging behaviors.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this training, register today!

http://www.mmhpi.org/think-kids

02/12/2026

Please join us on Thursday, March 5, for "From Awareness to Action: Creating a Culture Shift for Youth with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs," a free webinar hosted by the Meadows Institute, AAIDD – Texas Chapter, and Integral Care.

Young people with developmental disabilities (DD) experience mental health concerns at higher rates than the general population. Despite this, they must navigate systems and environments that were not designed for and rarely accommodate their strengths or needs. This webinar will discuss how we can build a more inclusive and accessible mental health care system to better support young people with DD.

CEUs will be available for LMFT’s, LMSW’s, LCSW’s, LPC’s, and TX Addiction Professionals.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P0w7nNsdSGiqfRotHtIfxQ #/registration

02/10/2026

In the immediate aftermath of last summer's Central Texas floods, caring for those affected was the number one priority. But we know that tragedies like these cause intense trauma and grief that must be addressed to support long-term healing.

We are grateful to Spectrum News 1 Texas for the featuring results of our Rapid Mental Health Needs Assessment, and proud to work alongside The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to support recovery efforts.

A Kerr County Rapid Mental Health needs assessment revealed there will be a surge of new post-traumatic stress disorder cases across Texas.

02/09/2026

📢 📢 Applications for our 2026 Summer Internship Program are now live! To learn more and apply, visit: https://mmhpi.org/about/careers/2026-summer-internship-program/

Our culture embodies continuous learning, growth, and advancement with a dedicated focus on employee work-life balance. Join us as we guide and create equitable systemic change so all people in Texas, the nation, and the world can obtain the health care they need.

02/06/2026

What if children lack the skill, not the will, to behave well?

The Meadows Institute invites you to join us March 3-5 for a free, three-day, virtual training on Essential Foundation in Collaborative Problem Solving® (Level 1).

This evidence-based, trauma-informed approach is grounded in research showing that children with challenging behavior often lack the skill, not the will, to behave well.

Participants will learn practical strategies to help children and families build skills in problem-solving, flexibility, and frustration tolerance, while also improving relationships and reducing challenging behaviors.

We are pleased to partner with Think:Kids to expand access the Collaborative Problem Solving intervention across Texas. This training will equip front line professionals and practitioners such as social workers, clinicians, QMHPs, caseworkers, educators and school staff, Family Partners, residential staff, and others to utilize the Collaborative Problem Solving approach to support children and their caregivers.

*Participants will receive 12 CE, PDP, or Certificates of Attendance for attending this training.*

Learn more and register today! http://www.mmhpi.org/think-kids

SUMMARY - The Meadows Institute, in partnership with Think:Kids, is expanding the impact of Collaborative Problem Solving® across Texas and offering no-cost trainings to child and family-serving professionals. This evidence-based, trauma-informed approach helps children build skills in problem-solv...

02/02/2026

The Meadows Institute believes that strong mental health systems improve lives—and save them. In 2025, we helped shape how mental health care is delivered across Texas and the country, turning evidence into action and expanding access to care where it matters most. With the support of our partners and donors, this work improved systems, increased quality, and helped more people get the right care at the right time.

We invite you to explore our annual report to see how these efforts are changing mental health care today and building a stronger system for the future.

https://2025report.mmhpi.org/

01/30/2026

A.I. is rapidly reshaping health care, and it offers an unprecedented opportunity to transform mental health services. In a new opinion piece for Behavioral Health Tech, Meadows Institute Chief Innovation Officer Kacie Kelly walks us through some of the most promising uses for A.I. in mental health:

A.I. is rapidly reshaping health care, and it offers an unprecedented opportunity to transform mental health services.

01/29/2026

When natural disasters or school shootings occur in local communities, first responders are put into difficult situations where they may experience traumatic stress reactions. So who provides support to those who are supporting us?

Julie Kaplow, executive vice president of trauma and grief programs and policy at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and executive director of the Trauma and Grief (TAG) Center at The Hackett Center for Mental Health, joined former Ohio Gov. John Kasich for a special conversation on proven strategies to promote healing and resilience for first responders and the communities they serve.

Watch the full video here: https://johnkasich.substack.com/p/helping-those-who-help-us?r=48b9u9&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web

Learn how support services help our first responders and and communities heal

01/28/2026

We are pleased to announce the call for applications for our twelfth annual Summer Internship Program! Interns are an invaluable part of our work, and through this program, we provide broad exposure to every aspect of our mission and vision. We work to match interns with supervisors whose expertise and projects align with their areas of interest.

This summer, internship opportunities are available in the following teams:

• Data & Research Analysis
• Health Systems Integration
• Chief Medical Officer Office
• Solutions Office
• Paso del Norte Center (opportunity for hybrid remote/in-person if located in El Paso, Texas)
• Adult Systems of Care
• Communications
• Health and Public Safety
• Policy
• The Hackett Center for Mental Health

The summer internship program will run from June 1, 2026, to August 14, 2026, and will be conducted remotely. Applications will open on February 9.

For more information, visit our website: https://mmhpi.org/about/careers/2026-summer-internship-program/

Our culture embodies continuous learning, growth, and advancement with a dedicated focus on employee work-life balance. Join us as we guide and create equitable systemic change so all people in Texas, the nation, and the world can obtain the health care they need.

01/27/2026

📢📢📢 Exciting news for mental health professionals in Texas!

The application period for the Mental Health Loan Repayment Program at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is now open!

With $28 million in funding, the program has been expanded to include LPC Associates, LMFT Associates, LMSWs, and certain certified school counselors, thanks to Sen. West's SB 646. Please see the link below for the full list of eligible professionals.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline on July 31, 2026.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.hhloans.com/mental-health-professionals-loan-repayment-program/