Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 4
Item 4 is approve a resolution recognizing the month of may 2010 as mental health month and may 3, 2011, as children's mental health awareness day in Travis County.
whereas community mental health is essential to overall health and well-being for all.
whereas we live in a community where one in five of our children of all races, faces, ethnicity and religious backgrounds are affected by mental illness.
whereas we see our community coming together to help children, youth and adults who live with mental illness lead full and productive lives positively impacting our community.
whereas we acknowledge that more must be done to help the estimated two-thirds of children and youth living with mental illness who do not yet have the support they need to succeed.
whereas we dedicated the month of may each year to bring our neighbors, friends and family members together to learn more about what good mental health means.
whereas we recognize may 3rd, 2011, as children's meantal health awareness today and see it as an opportunity to raise awareness about children's mental health, reduce stigma and celebrate resiliency.
and whereas Travis County health and human services and veterans services continues to support the development and implementation of the Travis County system of care to ensure children, youth and families have access to the services and supports that build upon their strengths and best meets their needs.
now therefore be it resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby proclaim the month of may as mental health month.
and may 3rd, 2011, as children's mental health awareness day in Travis County.
we call upon all the citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools within Travis County to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people who have mental illness.
I move approval.
>> second.
>> any comments?
>> good morning, Commissioners.
thank you for the opportunity to be here.
I'm christy keen with the children's partnership, Travis County health and human services and veterans services.
and with me today I have members of our child and youth mental health planning partnership as well as the children's partner staff and our partners staff, and we are thrilled to be here in anticipation of may as mental health month, as well as children's mental health awareness day, which is next Tuesday, may 3rd.
this year we are co-sponsoring in collaboration with the child and youth mental health partnership, planning partnership, an event for direct care staff who work with families, and it's entitled, and I've placed it on each one of you have it, it's entitled building resiliency.
and this year we're focusing on the early child, the young child.
and we have some trauma facts that I've also placed for you.
you also have a green ribbon, which we usually wear a green ribbon during the month of may.
and sonia hartman, who is our Travis County crcg coordinator is going to read to you the interesting trauma facts and our workshop will be focusing on educating and promoting awareness of those folks who work directly with children, youth and families.
thank you.
>> thank you.
>> an estimated one in every four children experience a significant traumatic event by the age of 16 and 6% have experienced one in the last six months.
20% to 30% of all girls and 10 to 14% of boys have experienced sexual abuse or assault by the age of 18.
35 to 40% -- 46% of adolescents report witnessing violence.
the average age which the first traumatic age for children occurs is five years old.
chronic exposure to severe stress can negatively affect children's brain development.
the experience of childhood traumatic events have been linked to greater risk of psychological, social and health problems including depression, substance abuse and poor health-related quality of life.
>> thank you.
those are important facts to remember.
as we continue our support of mental health education that y'all do so well in health and human services.
thank you for your dedication.
>> thank you.
>> thank you so much.
>> thank you all.
>> Texas ranks 49th in the united states in mental health funding and we are at the state level cutting further.
we wouldn't leave cancer untreated as we leave mental health care untreated in this state so I really appreciate what you do.
>> all in favor?
thank you.
and I have a resolution for somebody.
thank you.
>> thank you so much.
if I might just go through some things that have people who have gotten some time certains, at 10:00 a.m., item 20 -- let's see.
no, we did 25 already.
so at 10:30 we have the bonds, 7, 8, 9 and 10:00.
at 10:45, u.t., lbj students will make a presentation.
and at 11:00 or shortly thereafter, deece will be ready for the legislative item.
so we expect to get to those on a timely basis.
in addition to that before we go any further, item 11 I believe is ready to be -- to be approved and I would move approval.
>> second.
>> all in favor?
thank you.
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