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.