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County adopts Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation; StarCare presents local crisis and outpatient statistics
Summary
The Commissioners Court approved a resolution designating May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Bobby Carter of StarCare presented crisis and outpatient caseload statistics and described the new Hope Center as an “emergency room for mental health.”
The Lubbock County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution designating May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Lubbock County.
Bobby Carter, director of diversion programs at StarCare, told the court that StarCare is the local mental health authority for Lubbock County and four surrounding rural counties and presented service statistics. He reported that in fiscal year 2025 StarCare served almost 3,200 individuals in ongoing outpatient services and said the current fiscal year is on pace at about 2,475 ongoing clients and about 2,888 unique individuals in crisis services. Carter also described an extended observation unit (a 23-hour observation unit) and said StarCare averages about 75 psychiatric inpatient admissions annually.
Carter summarized the role of the new Hope Center, saying: “The easiest way to describe the Hope Center, it’s an emergency room for mental health.” He emphasized diversion work with community partners to keep people out of jail and to engage them directly with mental-health professionals.
The court cited rising numbers of emergency detention applications handled in the county judge’s office—from about 170 in 2023 to roughly 380 in 2025—to underscore the need for local mental-health resources. The resolution passed by unanimous voice vote.
StarCare’s presentation and the court’s proclamation emphasize expanded local crisis-response capacity and an intent to raise awareness during May.
