This month we observe mental health awareness month. It is estimated that close to 1 million adults in Texas have a serious mental illness. Additionally, approximately 500,000 of Texas children and adolescents have a serious emotional disturbance. One in four adults and one in five children have a mental health disturbance. Over a lifetime, half of the American population will experience a mental health illness. Unfortunately, statistics show that less than half of adults and less than 20 percent of children with mental health challenges receive treatment.

This year the theme is "You Are Not Alone". Now more than ever, we need to come together through awareness, information, support, and help so that each person can get the appropriate help to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. No one should feel alone in their struggle.

• It is estimated that close to one million adults, or five percent of the total Texas adult population, have serious mental illness (Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 2016)
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents ages 12 to 17 in Texas (Integral Care, 2015) •
• A child in Texas with mental illness is more than three times as likely to be arrested before leaving school as are other students (Integral Care, 2015) • 25% of Texas youth experience mental disorders severe enough to significantly impair their ability to function (Integral Care, 2015) •
• Major depressive episodes among Texas adolescents between 12 and 17 have been increasing steadily since 2010. In 2013-14, 11.2% of all adolescents in Texas (262,000) experienced at least one major depressive episode in the previous year. (US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

• Call 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent.
• Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. This will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.
• Listen without judging and show you care.
• Stay with the person or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person until you can get further help.
• Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

Just as CPR teaches you to help someone having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid trains you to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/process-improvement/improving-services-texans/behavioral-health-services/mental-health-awareness

The following is a list of resources available to you in an emergency:

• Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team (MOT) @ 512-864-8277

• Bluebonnet Trails Community Services @ 1-800-841-1255

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline @ 1-800-273-8255

• 911 or the nearest hospital emergency room if you can get there safely

For help accessing local community resources, please reference the following directory providers and local organizations:

• Aunt Bertha via Healthy Williamson County

• 2-1-1 via United Way of Williamson County

• Hutto Resource Center

NEW - FREE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR TEXANS: Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new resource offers COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. People can call the Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919.

*for more information visit Texas Health and Human Services website