Houston Daily

Researchers at the University of Houston’s HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention have created a map identifying areas in Houston that lack mental health care providers. The study, published in Frontiers of Public Health on October 15, found that low-income and minority neighborhoods are most affected by this shortage.

The research team combined data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Distressed Community Index (DCI) with a registry of 395 licensed mental health professionals in Houston to analyze access by ZIP code. They examined 96 ZIP codes within the city’s boundaries and found that nearly half are classified as “distressed,” while 39 ZIP codes have no mental health providers at all.

Chakema Carmack, senior author and associate professor in the Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences at UH’s College of Education, explained, “So many neighborhoods had no mental health professionals in their ZIP codes. It does follow patterns of other lack-of-access variables out there, such as food access, physical care access, clinic access and insurance coverage.”

The study revealed that “distressed” ZIP codes averaged only 1.9 mental health professionals compared to 11 in more prosperous areas. Areas like Kashmere Gardens, Fifth Ward, and Sunnyside were among those without any licensed providers.

“Your mental clarity is a part of your physical health,” said Carmack. “You can live a better life, a more productive life. The quality of your life is so much better when you are mentally healthy.”

To address these gaps, UH researchers have partnered with Harris County Precinct 4 officials to identify barriers to care and develop policy solutions for underserved communities. Recommendations include offering incentives for professionals to work in these areas, increasing awareness programs about mental health care, and changing insurance policies to cover travel or telehealth services.

“If you build it, they will come,” Carmack said. “But we need to build that mental health care into the system, and that can only be done through policy changes.”

A follow-up report detailing further findings and recommendations is expected in spring 2026.