About PBHA

Why our Work is Needed

People in the Texas Panhandle often do not get help for mental health and substance use disorder before they have reached a crisis state. There are many reasons, including social and cultural stigma, a shortage of professionals who can help, and a general lack of knowledge about where to go for help or even that help is available.

What We Do

Our regional partnership brings together community leaders, healthcare providers and organizations to connect the parts of the regional system of mental health and addiction care in a way that makes it easier for people to get the care they need for mental well-being.

We focus on:

• Working with rural communities to help them address their own unique needs around community wellness and access to care.
• Collaborating with the justice system to improve care for those with mental health and substance use issues.
• Attracting and retaining mental health professionals throughout the region.

Looking Ahead...

We work toward the day when…

• Mental healthcare is given the same consideration as any other type of healthcare.
• Our behavioral health system improves outcomes and quality of life by detecting and treating well before a condition reaches a crisis level.
• Everyone speaks freely about issues around mental well-being.
• Every person in the Texas Panhandle with a mental health or substance use issue will get the help they need when and where they need it.

Our Values

PBHA serves as a backbone organization and resource for mental health issues for a 27-county footprint. Our roles include convening, facilitating, providing technical assistance, and other support to Alliance members and stakeholders with the goal of improving access to mental healthcare and well-being.

Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance (PBHA) provides a neutral supportive infrastructure for stakeholders (individuals and organizations in the behavioral health system) who deliver services and individuals impacted by the services or lack thereof to coordinate for improved collaboration within the Alliance and surrounding frontier communities in the Texas Panhandle. PBHA serves as a catalyst for change by:

1. Facilitating new and stronger relationships that reduce silos and increase insights for our regional Behavioral Health System(s) to identify and address the root causes of a complex problem; 
2. Convening stakeholders to collaboratively design solutions for improved access;
3. Providing technical assistance to frontier communities; and
4. Supporting a learning culture with participation and hosting of learning communities.

Our Stakeholders

Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance is composed of individuals representing organizations and constituencies in the region representing:

• Behavioral health service providers
• Healthcare systems, providers and funders
• Law enforcement/courts/corrections
• General purpose local and state government
• Education
• Philanthropic interests
• People with lived experiences and challenges of mental health, substance use, and justice involvement
• Family and other community members

PBHA Membership

A PBHA Member is classified as either an Individual or Organizational upon payment of annual fees (April to March) and receives voting rights as well as expectations of supporting or aligning with PBHA’s mission and activities as described in the PBHA Membership Agreement. “PBHA” refers to its staff and leadership. “Alliance” refers to PBHA Members and Stakeholders.

If you want to know more information or to join our alliance, please email us at [email protected]