S.M.A.R.T. Program Helps Bexar County Respond to Mental Health Crises with Compassion and Coordination
Since its launch in October 2020, the Specialized Multidisciplinary Alternate Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.) program has been quietly reshaping how Bexar County addresses mental health crises — with compassion, collaboration, and measurable results.
Covering unincorporated Bexar County and 26 suburban cities, S.M.A.R.T. is a co-responder model that dispatches teams of trained professionals to 9-1-1 calls involving mental health emergencies. The goal: offer immediate clinical support, reduce the risk of escalation, avoid unnecessary jail bookings, and provide sustained follow-up care.
The program, established by the Bexar County Commissioners Court and administered by the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC), integrates law enforcement, paramedics, mental health clinicians, peer support specialists, and case managers into a unified response system.
A Coordinated, Two-Part Approach to Mental Health Response
S.M.A.R.T. operates in two phases: initial response and follow-up care.
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Initial Response: A crisis team is dispatched through 9-1-1 when a call presents a mental health concern. Responders include specially trained mental health officers, paramedics, and licensed clinicians who assess the situation on-site and help connect individuals with resources.
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Follow-Up: After the emergency response, the team continues to support individuals through case management, clinical referrals, peer support, and ongoing check-ins to ensure long-term stability and care continuity.
Between January and June 2025 alone, S.M.A.R.T. teams conducted 1,057 response visits and over 2,850 follow-up visits, reflecting a growing demand for mental health support in the community.
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When and Where Calls Are Most Common
Analysis of 2025 S.M.A.R.T. call data reveals meaningful insights into mental health trends in Bexar County:
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Time of Day: Most calls for service were concentrated between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., peaking at 6 p.m. with 77 calls — underscoring the need for day-to-evening availability.
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Day of Week: Fridays saw the highest number of calls (170), followed by Thursdays (156) and Mondays (155), suggesting increased stress or crisis onset toward the end and beginning of the week.
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Monthly Trends: Activity ramped up steadily throughout 2025, with response calls increasing from 117 in January to 237 in June. Follow-ups also rose, peaking at 503 in June — a clear sign that demand is ongoing and growing.
From the program’s launch in October 2020 through June 2025, the S.M.A.R.T. team responded to a total of 8,691 initial calls and conducted 8,774 follow-ups, showcasing a nearly 1:1 balance between crisis response and continued care.
Community Resources and How to Get Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency in Bexar County:
- Call 9-1-1 and request S.M.A.R.T. if there is an immediate crisis.
- Call 210-223-7233 if you’re in crisis but not facing immediate danger.
- Call 210-261-CHCS (2427) to schedule services with The Center for Health Care Services.
These crisis lines are staffed 24/7 to provide urgent care and connect residents with the help they need.
Partners Powering the Program
S.M.A.R.T. is made possible through collaboration between several key Bexar County mental health and public safety organizations, including:
- Bexar County Office of Criminal Justice
- Bexar County Sheriff's Office
- Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC)
- The Center for Health Care Services
- Acadian Ambulance Service
STRAC’s Southwest Texas Crisis Collaborative (STCC) plays a critical role in integrating care across hospital systems, behavioral health services, and first responders — especially for residents experiencing chronic mental health challenges, homelessness, or repeated hospital visits.
With its human-first, coordinated approach, Bexar County’s S.M.A.R.T. program is providing a national model for how to deliver mental health services in real time — not just when crisis strikes, but in the days and weeks that follow. For residents, it means more dignity, more access, and better outcomes.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
