Tri-County 100-Bed MH Expansion Needs 2026 Bond

**Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare Plans $100 Million Expansion to Double Capacity Amid Soaring Demand**

**CONROE, TX** – Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare is embarking on an ambitious plan to significantly expand its mental health facility in Conroe, proposing a 100-bed addition that would more than double its current capacity. The estimated $100 million project aims to alleviate critical wait times and keep local residents needing inpatient mental health care closer to home.

The expansion, contingent on voter approval of a state bond election in November 2026, would add 50 beds dedicated to adults involved in the criminal justice system (often termed forensic patients) and another 50 beds for general adult mental health care. Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, which serves Montgomery, Walker, and Liberty counties, currently operates a 100-bed facility, split evenly between adults and adolescents/children.

“The need for this expansion is not just critical; it’s a crisis we face daily,” stated Evan Roberson, CEO of Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare. “Our facility is consistently at or near full capacity, leading to heartbreaking wait times of four to six weeks for patients in crisis. This often forces families to seek care hundreds of miles away in Houston, Dallas, or even San Antonio, placing immense burdens on them during their most vulnerable moments.”

**Addressing a Growing Crisis**

The strain on mental health resources in the region has intensified due to rapid population growth and increased awareness of mental health challenges. Local law enforcement officials frequently highlight the lack of adequate mental health beds as a significant challenge.

“Our deputies often encounter individuals in mental health crises who, without immediate intervention, can unfortunately become entangled in the justice system,” said Sheriff Rand Henderson of Montgomery County. “Having a local, state-of-the-art facility capable of providing timely care for forensic patients is not just about mental health; it’s about public safety and ensuring those in crisis receive the appropriate treatment, not just incarceration.”

The proposed facility, which Roberson described as “state-of-the-art and trauma-informed,” would be built directly on Tri-County’s existing campus in Conroe, ensuring continuity of care and leveraging existing infrastructure.

**Funding Hinges on State Bond Election**

A significant portion of the project’s funding, potentially up to 70%, is tied to a statewide bond election scheduled for November 2026. If Texas voters approve the bond, Tri-County would be responsible for securing the remaining 30% through a combination of local funding, grants, and philanthropic efforts. While specifics of the state bond package are still being finalized by the Texas Legislature, mental health infrastructure has been a growing priority for lawmakers in recent sessions.

“This is an opportunity for Texans to directly invest in the well-being of their communities,” said State Representative Will Metcalf (R-Conroe). “Expanded mental healthcare facilities like Tri-County’s are essential not just for treating illness, but for strengthening our social fabric, reducing strain on emergency rooms, and supporting our criminal justice system. I encourage everyone to learn more about the bond proposals as they come forward.”

**Timeline for Critical Improvement**

Should the bond pass in 2026, Tri-County anticipates beginning the design phase for the new facility in 2027. Construction is projected to kick off in 2028, with the ambitious goal of having the entire 100-bed expansion completed and fully operational by late 2029 or early 2030.

This timeline underscores the urgency of the need and the comprehensive planning already underway. The expansion promises to be a transformative development for mental healthcare access across Montgomery, Walker, and Liberty counties, drastically reducing wait times and allowing more residents to receive vital inpatient care closer to their support networks.

For more information on Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare and its services, visit their website at [Insert Tri-County Website URL Here, e.g., www.tricountyservices.org]. Updates regarding the state bond election will be released by the Texas Secretary of State and relevant legislative bodies closer to the election date.