Kerr Co. Mental Health Recovery

TEXAS — Although it has been months since the floods, experts believe there will be thousands of post-traumatic stress disorder cases in the Texas Hill Country. With that in mind, leaders are preparing to intervene. 

“Light on the Hill has just kind of become known as a place you go when you need help,” said Beth Palmer, outreach director for Kerrville First United Methodist Church and Light on the Hill.

From food relief to health care, Light on the Hill strives to help however they can — “small things but with great love,” in Palmer’s words. Seven months after the flood, Palmer said recovery has taken a mental toll on Hill Country residents.  

“It has been a disaster with many ripples for our community,” said Palmer.

That stress, grief or uncertainty is causing folks to reach out. Palmer said some are seeking assistance for the first time.

“I thought I could do it on my own, but I’m seeing I’m going to need some help,” Palmer said. “So that’s exactly what we’re here for.”

Thanks to a grant, the nonprofit will provide mental health navigation services, assisting those in crisis for the next three years.  

“They will be able to meet folks where they are, help them in that crisis, and then take them directly to the help they need when they need it,” said Palmer.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country invested in studying the long-term mental health impacts of the July 4 flood. CEO Austin Dickson said that “mental health recovery is not a side project of disaster recovery — it is the foundation.”

“Recovery is not only what you see,” said Dickson. “It’s also about what people have been carrying with them after the disaster.”

A Kerr County Rapid Mental Health needs assessment revealed there will be a surge of new post-traumatic stress disorder cases across Texas. In Kerr County, adults experiencing PTSD are expected to grow from 1,800 to 8,000.

“We’re going to have a five-fold increase in the number of children suffering a range of severe needs,” said Dr. Andy Keller, CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. “Going from 500 typically to about 2,500.”

A million in grants will keep the Hill Country Emotional Support Center open to walk-ins for another year. It will also expand school-based counseling for the Hunt School and a mobile mental health app for first responders. 

“If we get this right, if we don’t delay, families will heal faster,” Dickson said. “Schools will function better, first responders stay strong and Kerr County will remain more resilient than ever.” 

The community foundation has pledged $10 million toward mental health services across the state, ensuring everyone impacted by the flood has access.

“Good things coming out of tragedy and disaster, and this is one of those things,” Palmer said.