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 12:40 — Health Data & Funding Challenges 15:26 — Why Mental Health Coverage Falls Short 17:53 — Coverage Doesn't Mean Access 20:13 — 20 Years of Mental Health Advocacy 22:14 — How the Texas Conversation Has Changed 23:42 — Priorities for the 90th Legislature 24:22 — Closing Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks Follow us on social media X: @Texas_Dispatch Instagram: thetexasdispatch LinkedIn: The Texas Dispatch TikTok: texas_talks_podcast Find more at The Texas Dispatch Your source for state news, policy, and investigative journalism. https://thetexasdispatch.com