Director, Behavioral Health Division Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas
The Behavioral Health Division (BHD) was established in 2020 with the mission to support the emotional health and well-being of Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees and their families. BHD’s approach is to tailor nationally recognized best practices in mental health and wellness to the specific needs of HCSO. This program of support services is the first of its kind for our agency, and we believe it is on track to become an exemplar of law enforcement wellness-focused behavioral health programs nationally. This presentation examines the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned while establishing a behavioral health division within one of the largest sheriff’s offices in the country.