Metrocare, the largest mental health service provider in North Texas, has launched a new clinic in southeast Dallas to fill a critical gap in mental health services for the community.
The Metrocare Elam Family Mental Health Clinic, which opened in December, is located directly across from Parkland Health’s Southeast Dallas Health Center. The clinic offers a range of services, including individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, crisis intervention, and financial assistance through charity care programs. Walk-in appointments are also available for patients in need.
Dr. John Burruss, CEO of Metrocare, emphasized the clinic’s importance, noting the area’s need for more mental health resources, particularly for children and adolescents. “When we realized there was a desert in services for children and adolescents, particularly in this part of the county, we knew we needed to step up and fill that gap,” Burruss said.
The need for mental health services in the region is evident, with recent data showing that approximately 75% of Texas children under 18 with major depression did not receive treatment in 2023, according to Mental Health America. Barriers to care, including long wait times, high costs, and limited service availability, have contributed to this unmet need, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Regina Walker, Metrocare’s director of child and adolescent services, also highlighted the impact of stigma on mental health care access. “Mental health has no age, no gender, no identity. Anyone can need and benefit from mental health services,” she said. “Our community has been very supportive in helping us establish locations where we can provide these services and fill the gaps in care.”
In addition to its general mental health services, the Elam Family Mental Health Clinic will soon expand to include a specialized child and adolescent center, which will also offer services for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The clinic serves residents from several surrounding communities, including Balch Springs, Seagoville, Mesquite, Pleasant Grove, Hutchins, Sunnyvale, and Wilmer.
Metrocare, which sees more than 50,000 patients annually, provides a wide range of services, including primary care, pharmacies, permanent supportive housing, and specialized care for veterans and their families.
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