MCTXStat: Mental Health Crisis Diversion Success

**Montgomery County’s Innovative MCTXStat Program Honored, Advocates for Continued Expansion at Crisis Intervention Training Graduation**

**CONROE, TX – September 27, 2024** – Constable Philip Cash of Montgomery County Precinct 4 spotlighted the groundbreaking MCTXStat program yesterday at the First Responder Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) graduation ceremony, held at Lone Star College-Montgomery’s Building B. The event celebrated the addition of 25 new officers and dispatchers to the county’s growing roster of CIT-trained personnel, bringing the county-wide total to over 1,000.

Constable Cash highlighted MCTXStat’s significant impact since its launch in October 2022. The innovative initiative, operating within Precinct 4, deploys a specialized team consisting of a deputy trained in crisis intervention and a licensed mental health professional to respond to calls involving mental health crises. The program’s core mission is to de-escalate situations, connect individuals with appropriate mental health resources, and ultimately divert them from emergency rooms or the criminal justice system.

“MCTXStat is transforming how we respond to mental health calls, offering compassion and specialized support when our community members need it most,” Constable Cash stated during his address. “This success is a testament to what dedicated partnerships and proactive strategies can achieve. We’re not just responding; we’re building bridges to recovery and healthier outcomes for our community members.”

Since its inception, the MCTXStat team has handled an impressive 1,570 calls for service. Its intervention efforts have successfully diverted 87 individuals from emergency rooms and another 75 from the jail system, demonstrating a tangible positive impact on both individuals in crisis and the county’s public services. The program, which began with just two members, has expanded to a team of five, reflecting the increasing demand and proven effectiveness of its approach.

The program’s innovative model has garnered significant state-level recognition. In May 2024, the MCTXStat program was honored by the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health with a Justice & Mental Health Innovation Award, celebrating its pioneering efforts in integrating mental health services with law enforcement response.

Constable Cash emphasized that MCTXStat’s achievements are a direct result of robust inter-agency collaboration. Key partners include the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, the Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD), Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, and the Montgomery County Commissioners Court. These collaborations ensure a comprehensive network of support, from emergency medical oversight by MCHD to direct mental health services provided by Tri-County, and crucial funding and administrative support from the Commissioners Court.

The recent CIT graduation itself plays a vital role in broadening the county’s capacity to address mental health challenges. Crisis Intervention Training equips first responders with crucial skills in de-escalation techniques, recognizing signs of mental illness, and understanding local mental health resources. With over 1,000 personnel now trained across Montgomery County, the community is better prepared to respond sensitively and effectively to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Looking ahead, Constable Cash underscored the critical importance of these ongoing collaborations and advocated strongly for the program’s continued support and potential expansion. “The need for specialized mental health response teams like MCTXStat is only growing in our community,” he added. “We must continue to invest in these programs to ensure that every individual in crisis receives the care and resources they deserve, rather than facing unnecessary entanglement with the criminal justice system or overburdening our emergency medical facilities.”

For more information on the MCTXStat program or mental health services in Montgomery County, residents can visit the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office website or Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare at www.tricountybh.org.