Plans are well underway for the opening of a new hospital for elderly psychiatric care in the Lufkin, Texas area, later this year. There was a meeting over the summer of the Regional Board of Directors for the Rural East Texas Health Network (RETHN) which took place at the Burke Center’s Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC) in the area. At the meeting, discussions ensued as to what impact forensic cases have on the amount of beds available at Rusk State Hospital. A review of data on MHEC’s admissions took place as well as elections for new board officers.
The Burke Center runs the RETHN whose mission is to improve behavioral as well as mental health issues across the region. Those working for the RETHN include: judges, law enforcement representatives, local government officials as well as mental health workers.