City Leaders Review Mental Health Access as Flu Activity Stays High in Travis County
Austin, TX – March 9, 2026 – City leaders reviewed mental health access for uninsured residents as flu activity remains high in Travis County.
Austin health officials are tracking continued high influenza activity while City Council members receive updates on how low-income and uninsured residents access mental health services across Travis County.
Flu Activity Remains Elevated
Austin Public Health reports that influenza activity in Texas remains high, reflecting statewide trends during late winter. Local surveillance data show multiple influenza-associated outbreaks in schools or long-term care facilities this season, along with several adult flu-associated deaths in Travis County.
Public health officials note that surveillance reports are designed to track trends and do not capture every case. Respiratory virus season typically peaks in the winter months, and health authorities continue to monitor hospitalizations and outbreak clusters.
City guidance emphasizes general prevention strategies during periods of elevated respiratory illness, including staying home when sick and following public health recommendations in higher-risk settings.
Briefing on Mental Health Care for Uninsured Residents
On March 4, the Austin City Council Public Health Committee received a scheduled update on the mental health system of care serving low-income and uninsured residents. Representatives from Central Health, CommUnityCare Health Centers and Integral Care were listed to provide briefings.
The agenda also included a presentation on the 2025 Austin-Travis County Community Health Assessment. Committee briefings can influence how city leaders evaluate service capacity, referral coordination and gaps in behavioral health access.
Central Health and its clinical partners play a central role in providing primary care, specialty referrals and behavioral health services for residents who do not have private insurance or who qualify for safety-net coverage. Updates to the committee are part of ongoing oversight of how those systems connect and respond to community needs.
What Residents Should Know
Residents seeking information about flu trends can review Austin Public Health surveillance updates online. Individuals without insurance or with limited coverage can learn more about eligibility and services through Central Health, CommUnityCare or Integral Care.
Public health officials encourage residents to follow local guidance during periods of elevated respiratory illness and to use established safety-net resources if behavioral health services are needed.
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
