Ep. 132 - The State of Children's Mental Health with Chris Bryan | Live | Part 2

In Part 2 of our special Texas Talks series recorded live at the Texas Hospital Association Annual Conference in Fort Worth, host Brad Swail sits down with Chris Bryan, Vice President of Clarity Child Guidance Center in San Antonio, to examine the state of children’s mental healthcare in Texas.

Bryan shares the personal experience that led her from a career in technology to becoming an advocate for children’s mental health and explains how technology and social media have changed the environment in which children grow up.

The conversation explores gaps in the mental health system, including the lack of a consistent continuum of care, difficulties sharing health information, insurance and reimbursement challenges, workforce shortages and the difference between having mental health coverage and actually being able to access treatment.

Bryan also reflects on nearly two decades of advocacy at the Texas Capitol, how the conversation surrounding children’s mental health has changed and what she hopes lawmakers will address during the 90th Texas Legislature.

This is Part 2 of our two-part Texas Hospital Association special. Be sure to watch Part 1 with Allen Harrison on the economics and financial pressures facing Texas hospitals.

00:00 — Introducing Chris Bryan

01:56 — A Personal Journey Into Mental Health Advocacy

04:20 — Technology Meets Healthcare

06:05 — Behavioral Health vs. Mental Health

07:13 — How Technology Is Changing Childhood

10:21 — Gaps in the Mental Health System

11:47 — The Missing Continuum of Care