Q: People from El Paso and the surrounding areas seem to have a deep connection with where they’re from. What makes the region so special?

A: We are a unique region at the corner of three states and two countries. El Paso and Ciudad Juárez are far from our respective state and national capitals, which I think contributes to our sense of unity. We share families, language, food and culture, and a history of working together. The collaborative work of the El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium is emblematic of this unity, which has been particularly important in helping us get through some of our more recent challenges—from the 2019 mass shooting and influx of refugees and asylum seekers to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Meadows Institute has taken the time to get to know the region, and we really appreciate that about them.

Q: What are the unique challenges of providing mental health care to your communities?

A: While we are a unified region, the mental health systems are different across state and national lines, with different laws and regulations. We share other challenges. High levels of uninsured patients. Both a young and aging population. The lack of providers. The need for integrated care. And the mobility of people across systems.

We are fortunate to have important assets that include a vision for coming together to address these challenges to ensure that the people of our region have access to high-quality mental health services when and where they need them.

Q: Collaboration between organizations is crucially important but can be challenging. Can you speak about the process of making sure everybody is on the same page?

A: We have spent considerable time building relationships and trust across organizations. The Meadows Institute has been extraordinarily helpful in providing the data and information we need to set shared goals and objectives and hold each other accountable. It’s about creating a safe space where we can come together, be honest about the challenges in our community, and be enthusiastic about the ambitious goals that we set for ourselves—and support each other while trying to accomplish them.

We also have strong and committed community leaders, like Sharon Butterworth and the members of our Behavioral Health Consortium Leadership Councils, who come together regularly to work on the vision we have set out for our community around mental health.

Q: Has your background as a collegiate athlete and marathon runner had an impact on how you work in the community?

A: I value what my coaches valued, which is always giving 110% and leaving it all on the floor. The three consortia we have helped establish across the region have really done this. They’ve given their hearts and souls and thousands of hours to respond to the needs of our community. There is an important bond that is created in this process.

Q: In what ways has the region’s mental health care improved over the last several years?

A: The Paso del Norte Health Foundation entered the mental health space to reduce the stigma or negative bias associated with mental illness and increase access to mental health services. In less than a decade’s time, people are more open to having conversations about their mental health and emotional well-being.

We have also made progress in increasing mental health services and integrating mental health and primary care, so that treating the head is not separate from treating the body, which I know has been a goal of the Meadows Institute as well.

Q: How important has the Meadows Institute been to those efforts?

A: Our community has been the beneficiary of the work that the Institute has led across Texas and with the Legislature. We have seen increased funding opportunities for Emergence Health Network, our local mental health authority, and with programs like TCHATT and CPAN. These are direct evidence of the Institute’s leadership and commitment.

We have also benefited from the Institute’s capabilities to identify needs in our communities through multiple assessments and to bring best practices to the region. We especially appreciate the vision and boundless energy of Dr. Andy Keller.

We are grateful to the Institute for being open to creating community-based centers like the new Paso del Norte Center to further share best practices and respond to the unique needs of each community.

Q: What does the creation of the Paso del Norte Center mean to your community?

A: We are excited about the additional capabilities that will come from having a strong backbone organization to support our convening efforts, shepherd the work of our regional consortia, connect us to resources outside of our community, and leverage the Institute’s thought leadership and expertise to strengthen our existing assets and resources.

In establishing the Paso del Norte Center, we have local staff and a local presence supported by the leadership and expertise of the Institute’s fellows and staff from across the state.