More than 250 long-term patients in Texas state hospitals are now considered “ready for discharge" after a stay of at least one year, but are unable to leave. That’s according to data released this week by the state’s Joint Committee on Access and Forensic Services (JCAFS). Those cases represent 40% of the current patients residing in Texas state hospitals.
As Texas Public Radio reports, committee member Windy Johnson says barriers to discharge, like not having somewhere to go, can mean longer waitlists for new patients. “A lot of people have been there for three years which obviously delays a new person getting into the state hospitals.”
There are 10 state-operated hospitals for people with mental health issues, as well as one youth residential treatment center. Barriers can also include lack of health insurance and the need for support outside of the hospital setting.
Vinay Vuriti presented the data at the JCAFS meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin. He is a data analyst for the Offices of Forensic Services and Coordination. “There are currently 773 individuals who make up to the 365 plus population. Their average length-of-stay is 1591 days, which is over four years.”
State officials are developing a long-term plan for state hospitals, with a public comment session scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026. Johnson pointed out that any future plans must address accessibility to the full range of mental health services to Texans. “If we don't have anywhere to discharge people that have been sitting in a state hospital, then the waitlist is not going to reduce in a timely fashion.” For more information, you can email the Joint Committee on Access and Forensic Services (JCAFS).
The long wait list helps explain why Texas recently ranked as the second worst state in the country for overall mental health care. The personal finance website MoneyGeek conducted the 2025 rankings of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Researchers based the rankings on factors including access and quality of care, cost and prevalence of mental health conditions in the area.
Another 62% of people in Texas also reported costs as a barrier to mental health care, with average out-of-pocket expenses of more than $1,600 per year, based on the MoneyGeek data. The research also revealed that states in the South have the highest rates of depression and the most Google searches for mental health care, with Louisiana among the top three.
