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Residents in areas with fewer economic opportunities are struggling to find mental health care in their communities, according to a recent University of Houston study that mapped “mental health deserts” across Greater Houston.

The overview: The study, published Oct. 15, found that even neighboring ZIP codes may have sharp differences in mental health resources, as areas with lower education levels and higher poverty rates had fewer, sometimes zero, licensed mental health professionals. 

The researchers said they mapped resources using data from Psychology Today’s registry of licensed mental health professionals and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Distressed Communities Index, or DCI.

The local impact: Several ZIP codes in the Cypress, Cy-Fair and Spring-Klein areas are ranked “prosperous” on the DCI, which was last updated with 2023 bureau data. However, some ZIP codes—particularly near Hwy. 249 and Jersey Village—came up as “mid tier” and “at risk,” with fewer mental health professionals than their “prosperous” counterparts.

Kristin Henshaw, clinical director of local mental health center Cy-Hope Counseling, said cost, time and transportation pose the biggest barriers to consistent care.

As the state prepares for a wave of winter weather, Greater Houston area officials are also urging caution and preparedness ahead of potential weather impacts.

The details: According to the National Weather Service, the Greater Houston area will be under a winter storm watch Jan. 24-25. However, an extreme cold watch will run from Jan. 24-26, and the NWS said residents can expect the following conditions over the weekend:

• Potential freezing rain
• A tenth of an inch of ice or greater
• Localized power outages
• Wind chills ranging from 5-15 degrees

Back Nine Golf opened a new location in the Spring area according to store officials, providing a 24-hour golf simulation experience.

The details: According to store management, Back Nine Golf focuses on providing a space to practice golf for all ages. Back Nine Golf offers a variety of simulators and training areas for professional and novice players through a membership program. Interested parties can schedule a free demo, and then become a member on a monthly or yearly basis. 

• Opened Jan. 12
• 21101 Gosling Road, Ste. 700, Spring

With the opening of a Family Place Library at the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library on Dec. 15, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has completed a $1 million multiyear initiative to expand literacy access across the Greater Houston area, nonprofit officials announced in a Dec. 18 news release.

Read all about it: Per the release, the BBHLF's Family Place Libraries initiative launched in 2017 following the death of former first lady Barbara Bush to honor and advance her lifelong commitment to family literacy and early childhood education.

Quote of note: "Mrs. Bush believed deeply that parents are a child's first and most important teachers, and that libraries play a vital role in supporting families. Family Place Libraries bring her vision to live every single day," BBHLF President and CEO Julie Finck said in a statement.

Through partnerships with the Houston Public Library and Harris County Public Library, the BBHLF was able to open 40 Family Place Libraries across the Greater Houston area by the end of 2025—the year Bush would've turned 100 years old.