Boosting Mental Health in Austin: Council Increases Funding for Integral Care Initiatives

The Austin City Council recently decided to put more than $1.4 million into the Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) at Integral Care. This funding is part of the city’s budget adjustments aimed at improving mental health services.

With this boost, Integral Care can hire more mental health professionals and expand EMCOT’s services to operate 24/7. This team focuses on helping individuals facing psychiatric crises, allowing them to get support without going to jail or emergency rooms.

Aloki Shah, president of United Workers of Integral Care, expressed gratitude for the funding. She emphasized the importance of mental health crisis teams and the city’s commitment to a future where mental health care takes precedence.

Shah pointed out that this funding would help address ongoing staffing shortages in the field. She has been an advocate for having trained mental health professionals respond to urgent calls instead of police officers.

This push for better crisis response emerged after a tragic incident in 2019, when Mauris DeSilva was shot by a police officer during a mental health crisis. The officer was later convicted, highlighting the need for change.

Council Member Ryan Alter remarked that the new funding would ensure trained professionals handle emergency calls, making a significant difference in how these situations are approached. Other Council members also shared positive feedback about the city’s innovative programs and their effectiveness in tackling complex challenges.