In the aftermath of the devastating July 4, 2025 floods in the Texas Hill Country, a Katy-based nonprofit is helping Texans begin the emotional process of recovery. The Mental Wellness Collective (MWC), led by therapist and community advocate Elizabeth Westbrook, has launched a new program offering therapy copay reimbursements for survivors navigating the hidden trauma left behind by the disaster.
The catastrophic floods were triggered by torrential rain that caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overwhelming the Hill Country with little warning. The disaster claimed 135 lives—117 of them in Kerr County—including 27 campers and staff at Camp Mystic. Rescue crews recovered 68 bodies in Kerr County, 28 of them children. As the region continues the arduous task of rebuilding home and infrastructure, many survivors are only beginning to process the emotional aftermath.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), between 25% and 50% of disaster survivors experience mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. And those needs often go unmet due to cost, stigma, or delayed onset of symptoms…