Looking Ahead

Most of these initiatives are described in greater detail elsewhere in this report, but here we list a few of the exciting projects we have on the horizon.

PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH

As part of renewed interest in using psychedelics to treat severe mental health conditions, especially for people who have not had success with more traditional treatments, Dell Med researchers launched the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy — the first center of its kind in Texas — in December 2021. The center will conduct clinical research to better understand the potential for drugs such as psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine and ayahuasca to treat severe depression, anxiety and PTSD when used as part of treatment with a trained provider.

CLINICAL TRIALS

The Clinical Trials program, which allows our patients and those in the community to receive novel treatments that are being developed for serious psychiatric disorders, will be markedly expanded in the coming year.

COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY WORKFORCE EXPANSION

In 2022 we will launch the Texas Legislature-funded Community Psychiatry Workforce Expansion program, expanding the availability of mental health care resources by developing training opportunities for residents and supervising residents at facilities operated by a local mental health authority and community mental health providers.

PERINATAL PSYCHIATRY ACCESS NETWORK

In the year ahead we look forward to launching a Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network. In collaboration with other academic medical centers in Texas, this network will provide statewide peer-to-peer consultation for providers needing guidance in the treatment of mental disorders during pregnancy and postpartum.

ER SUPPORT

Our consult-liaison team is in the process of starting a program in combination with our psychiatric emergency services that will allow for tele-psychiatric support to emergency rooms at all times of the day or night.