Local foundation and mental health experts outline care strategies to help thousands of residents process disaster-related trauma
KERRVILLE, TX—Today, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute released new findings from a Rapid Mental Health Needs Assessment examining the long-term mental health impacts of the July 4 flood in Kerr County. The Community Foundation also announced an additional $1 million dollar grant commitment to partner organizations, including Light on the Hill, Hunt ISD and Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers (MHDD).
The assessment indicates that trauma-related symptoms are likely to intensify months after the disaster and persist for years without targeted, sustained support. Without expanded access to care, the findings project more than 6,000 new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder among adults and an estimated 2,000 additional cases of serious emotional disturbance among children and youth.
“This assessment helps communities move from anecdote to evidence,” said Dr. Andy Keller, CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. “What the data show clearly is that the most serious mental health impacts of disasters often surface months later and can last for years. By grounding decisions in local voices and rigorous analysis, Kerr County now has a clear roadmap for where investment can make the greatest difference in both immediate recovery and long-term resilience.”
The analysis included interviews with more than 70 local leaders across education, health care, first responders, faith communities, nonprofits and local government. Meadows paired this input with quantitative data to project mental health needs following the flood, showing that adult PTSD symptoms often peak about five months after disaster exposure, while emotional distress among children typically intensifies around six months and can persist for years without sustained intervention.
Based on these findings, the Community Foundation identified four priority areas to guide action and funding: improving awareness and navigation of mental health services, expanding trauma- and grief-informed care, strengthening trusted community access points such as schools and faith communities and providing specialized support for those most impacted including bereaved families and frontline helpers.
“Recovery is not only what we can see,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. “This assessment gives us clear evidence of what families are carrying long after the flood and where systems need to be strengthened. It allows us to build on our emergency response and focus our long-term investments on supporting families, children, and those caring for others across Kerr County.”
The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute manages the Family Mental Health Care Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which provides full financial support for the initiative.
The $1 million in grant funding announced today by the Community Foundation will support targeted mental health services across Kerr County. Investments include three years of dedicated navigation services at Light on the Hill, expanded school-based counseling in Hunt ISD and specialized support for helping professionals through a partnership with the Hummingly Foundation and the H.E. Butt Foundation. Additional funding will support a mobile mental health app for Kerrville Police Department personnel and extend an additional year of operations at Hill Country MHDD’s Emotional Support Drop-In Center, where low-barrier care continues to meet growing demand.
How to Access Support
Families seeking assistance in finding trauma- and grief-informed care can:
- Call the Lucine Center Navigation Line at 832-244-9502 for help connecting to counseling, grief support or other mental health resources
- Submit documentation for reimbursement or financial assistance at form.jotform.com/252924398743166
- View eligibility details and FAQs at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute website
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About Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life across the Hill Country region by connecting charitable donors with community needs. Based in Kerrville and serving 10 counties, the Foundation manages a diverse portfolio of funds and grants that support local nonprofits, academic scholarships and community initiatives. Since its founding in 1982, the Foundation has worked to strengthen communities, inspire generosity and create lasting positive impact for current and future generations. For more information, visit www.communityfoundation.net.
About Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute helps Texas and the nation improve mental health care by providing independent, nonpartisan, data-driven policies and programs to help people with mental health needs. For more information, visit mmhpi.org
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