Mental Health & Criminal Justice
Community members and leaders expressed that issues related to individuals with mental health challenges who encounter the criminal justice system represents one of the greatest needs for Nacogdoches County. Since 2023, Better Together’s Mental Health Crisis Committee has been on a journey of engaging stakeholders, gathering input, and identifying and enacting solutions.
Phase 1
Stakeholder Listening Sessions
Members of the Mental Health Crisis Committee participated in 28 conversations with stakeholders, from mental health providers to law enforcement, and everything in between. The focus of these conversations was to identify major barriers and possible solutions.
Phase 2
Solutions Survey
In the summer of 2025, Better Together staff converted the stakeholder-identified solutions into a survey, which was sent back to the stakeholders, asking the key question: Which of these solutions should we implement now?
Phase 3
Roundtable Event
In the Fall of 2025, key decision-makers and leaders will be invited to the table to create an action plan to breathe life into the solutions that were identified and prioritized by community stakeholders. Better Together is convening this roundtable, and maintaining the focus on solutions rather than setbacks.
bettertogethernac.com 