NEWS RELEASE
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Chris
Traylor
Executive Commissioner
Executive Commissioner
Contact: Bryan Black,
512-424-6951
May is
National Mental Health Awareness Month
AUSTIN – The Texas
Health and Human Services (HHS) system is working to raise awareness of mental
health and the effect mental health has on the lives of all Texans.
May is National Mental Health
Awareness Month and HHS agencies will take part in the 2016 Children's Mental
Health Awareness Day Walk and Rally starting at 9 a.m., April 30 at the Texas
State Capitol south steps, followed by a short march through downtown to
Woolridge Square Park where local mental health providers and resources will be
on hand to help connect attendees with available services. HHS agencies will
also have booths set up in the Capitol throughout the month to provide mental
health information to Texans.
"When you treat someone with a
mental health condition, you improve the quality of their life and the quality
of the lives of their family, friends and co-workers as well," HHS
Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor said.
HHS has instituted Mental Health
First Aid training for its employees and first responders across the HHS
system. The training helps people recognize the signs of someone who needs help
and provides guidance on what actions to take to assist.
The HHS system is also working with
other state agencies to promote awareness of programs and make sure Texans who
need help from different agencies get help.
"We are making great progress
bridging the behavioral health gap between state agencies," said Sonja
Gaines, associate commissioner for mental health coordination. "Through
our efforts, we can expect to see improved awareness, access to care and more
efficient, coordinated and effective behavioral services delivered through
state funded agencies."
To get help or learn more about
mental health symptoms and risks visit mentalhealthTX.org.
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