Mental Health & Criminal Justice
Community leaders in Nacogdoches County identified a persistent and urgent concern: people experiencing mental health challenges too often end up involved in the criminal justice system—not because that system is the most appropriate place for care, but because it is often the most available pathway when other supports are limited or difficult to access.
Better Together Nacogdoches has been working alongside partners since 2023 to respond to this reality. This work is grounded in a broader strategic priority: increasing access to and the utility of wellness resources for underserved populations, with particular focus on individuals involved in the criminal justice system based on community-identified gaps in services.
At the center of this effort is a cross-sector Mental Health Crisis Committee made up of partners from mental health services, law enforcement, courts, emergency response, and community organizations. Better Together serves as a backbone organization for this work—helping convene partners, support coordination, and maintain focus on shared, community-driven 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.
The Mental Health & Criminal Justice Roundtable was originally convened by Better Together in November 2025. Due to overwhelming support from participants and key stakeholders, the group now meets quarterly. These meetings center around an ACTION PLAN, which breaks long-term strategies and goals down into small, attainable steps assigned to specific individuals. All participants at the Roundtable share the responsibility of moving the group’s work forward.
One of the greatest accomplishments of the Mental Health & Criminal Justice Roundtable has been the re-initiation of Mental Health Court in Nacogdoches County. At the inaugural MH&CJ Roundtable in 2025, this was identified as a top priority. Better Together staff followed up with key community partners to identify and overcome barriers to implementation. By March 2026, Mental Health Court was operational again, with its first participants in May 2026. This critical initiative offers jail diversion and wraparound support to individuals with persistent mental health challenges who otherwise cycle continuously in and out of the jail.
The MH&CJ Roundtable meets quarterly. Contact us to find out how to join the next one!
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