84R11719 KMW-D

By: Clardy H.C.R. No. 84

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, National Mental Health Month is observed each May to raise awareness about mental illness and related issues in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Good mental health is essential to one's overall health and well-being, but each year one in five adults, of any age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and economic status, face mental health issues; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that about a third of all people experiencing mental illnesses and about half of the people living with severe mental illnesses also confront or battle against substance abuse, and about a third of all alcohol abusers and more than half of all drug abusers report experiencing a mental illness; and

WHEREAS, People with mental illness can achieve recovery and wellness when appropriate mental health services and support are available; cognitive behavioral therapy is particularly effective in helping people with dual diagnoses learn to cope and to change ineffective patterns of thinking, and involving families through psychoeducation is an important component of successful mental health and substance abuse treatment; also, publication of a diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders has vastly increased innovation in psychiatric treatment and clarified diagnosis in a wide range of practice settings, and current treatment is now more objective, consistent, and effective than treatment in the past; and

WHEREAS, Recovery does not happen in isolation, however; it requires a sufficient number of licensed health care providers, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists, who use their training and clinical skills to diagnose and treat patients; and

WHEREAS, "The Mental Health Workforce Shortage in Texas" report identifies the lack of mental health professionals and primary care practitioners in rural communities, and this shortage results in greater difficulty in developing the multidisciplinary, integrated service that would be optimal for people with comorbid conditions; and

WHEREAS, As of March 2009, 173 out of 254 Texas counties and two partial counties were designated as Health Profession Shortage Areas for mental health; state agencies and community health care organizations report extensive problems in recruiting and training psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists, and it is estimated that only 39 percent of persons with mental illness and 11 percent of persons with substance abuse issues receive needed treatment; and

WHEREAS, The economic value of providing appropriate and timely access to mental health services can be measured beyond individual patient benefits to include cost savings to state and local hospitals and reduced expenditures by state agencies and programs, including the criminal and juvenile justice systems, children and family services, housing, and employment; and

WHEREAS, Increased funding has been provided, but even with these new funds, challenges remain to keep up with demand, to ensure that the delivery system is strong, and to better integrate behavioral health into the traditional health care system; professional oversight, training, and clinical experience all are essential to the effectiveness of mental health licensees, and their success is crucial to meeting the ongoing challenges facing the efficient delivery of quality mental health services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby commend mental health professionals for their invaluable contributions to the citizens of this state and extend to them sincere best wishes for success with their important work.