Calls Attention to Growing Demand in the Community to serve returning Texas Troops
Austin TX November 11 2009 The Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers welcomes the recent announcement by Governor Perry to expand and improve mental health services for returning veterans and their families.
During the 81st legislative session state lawmakers appropriated $1.2 million and with this initiative an additional $5 million will be made available through grants to Local Mental Health Authorities to expand treatment and support programs for Texas veterans and their families.
In total the $6.2 million investment in the expansion and improvement of services for returning veterans and their families highlights the importance of providing effective mental health services to our returning veterans.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services 230000 Texans are on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and the state has the third largest population of veterans. A 2008 RAND Corporation study found that nearly one-third of service members returning from Afghanistan or Iraq are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) major depression or traumatic brain injury.
Service gaps remain a serious concern as demand for veterans mental health services outpaces available resources. The Government Accountability Office estimated that four of five returning troops are at risk but not referred for further evaluation for mental health conditions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health 70 of returning soldiers with PTSD will not seek treatment from the Department of Defense or the Veterans Administration.
Community MHMR Centers are hopeful the additional resources will make community mental health services more readily available for veterans and their families.
According to State Representative Sid Miller who represents Fort Hood the largest United States military facility in the world The legislature recognized the need for an investment in training for the unique skills required to treat returning veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. Community Mental Health Centers are strategically placed to deliver these services in all 254 counties to returning veterans and their families where they live. The Governors expansion by $5 million of mental health services for veterans and their families is recognition of the growing unmet needs for Texans who have honorably served our country."
The Texas Council was established in 1976 to represent the public Community MHMR Center system of Texas on legislative and state policy matters related to improving services for Texans with developmental disabilities mental illness and substance addictions. The 39 Community MHMR Centers of Texas serve communities across all 254 counties of Texas and provide services for more than 200000 people each year
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If you would like to schedule and interview or for more information on mental health services for veterans please contact Maria Rios Communication Specialist for the Texas Council at (512) 794-9268 or email her at
mrios@txcouncil.com
