SE Texas Times

Each year, May is recognized as National Mental Health Awareness Month. The initiative was established to educate communities about mental health conditions and provide support and resources to those living with mental illness. According to the Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council, over 3.3 million adults in Texas are affected by mental illness. Furthermore, more than half of the adults in Texas who need mental health treatment do not receive any.

Children are also significantly impacted by mental illness. As per the Texas Health & Human Services Commission, one out of four children will experience a mental illness during childhood. Consequently, a key goal of National Mental Health Awareness Month is to break down the stigma attached to mental illness through education and outreach.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) defines a mental illness as a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. Mental health conditions are common and varied, making it crucial to look for signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents. For more information about mental health conditions and resources, individuals can visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

In Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) collaborates with Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) across the state to deliver community-based mental health services. The Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities provides such services in Nueces County. Additionally, residents of Aransas County can access services at the Coastal Plains Community Center.

State Representative Todd Hunter encourages anyone with questions regarding this information or needing assistance with issues related to a Texas state agency to contact his Capitol or District Office at any time (Capitol Office: 512-463-0672; District Office: 361-949-4603).