Telepsychiatry Initiative | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

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Ï㽶ֱ²¥ students walking through Lubbock campus courtyard.

Telepsychiatry Initiative

telepsych appointment with ap atient and provider standing nearby

Expanding Mental Health Access Through Virtual Care

Telepsychiatry Initiative

The Telepsychiatry Initiative aims to significantly advance mental health services for patients in rural and community hospitals across Texas.

In collaboration with the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH), this initiative seeks to improve access to vital psychiatric services in underserved areas over the next two years, with Mount Pleasant designated as the pilot site.

Portrait photo of Ariel Santos

Titus Regional Medical Center is grateful for this partnership because it’s meeting the needs of not only our patients but their families, our physicians, our staff, our local government, law enforcement, everyone involved in the behavioral health journey. The needs are being met. You can see the change in behavioral health throughout this whole community.

Terry Scoggins

CEO Titus Regional Medical Center

Vital Care Where It's Needed Most

The Telepsychiatry Initiative, which launched in April 2024, brings Ï㽶ֱ²¥â€™s psychiatry providers directly to patients experiencing mental health crises in emergency departments or clinical settings through telemedicine. This approach ensures patients receive prompt and expert consultations when they need it most.

As of December 2024, 12 sites are actively delivering care, with seven additional sites in the process of joining the program. Since May 2024, the initiative has facilitated 175 telepsychiatry visits, highlighting its growing impact on patient access and mental health support.

PATIENT CARE IMPACT

  • Addresses immediate mental health needs
  • Facilitates the creation of diagnosis-driven treatment plans
  • Supports effective medication management
  • Promotes ongoing support and stability for patients in underserved areas
  • Accelerates access to psychiatric care

RURAL HOSPITAL IMPACT

  • Improves safety in hospital emergency departments
  • Allows facilities to concentrate on other urgent medical cases
  • Facilitates immediate telemedicine consultations for patients presenting with mental health concerns

Project Leads

Cynthia Jumper, M.D., MPH
Ï㽶ֱ²¥ Executive Vice President for Health Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Will Rodriguez, MSOLE
Ï㽶ֱ²¥ Associate Vice President and Managed Care Administrative Officer