May is Mental Health Awareness month, an opportunity to highlight the need for broader access to mental health care and the important work local organizations and community members are doing to address the Hill Country’s mental health needs.

Supporting mental health care in our communities is one of Create Healthy’s top priorities. Expanding access to mental and emotional health resources was identified as a funding focus area as part Create Healthy’s community advisory councils and ongoing community engagement efforts.

“Our community has made it clear that supporting mental health is a priority, and our investments in new programs and existing local organizations working to address mental health needs reflects that,” said Jayne Pope, Create Healthy CEO

Through funding and support for the Texas Wine Auction, Create Healthy’s investments are already yielding positive results. The organization utilized Create Healthy funding to provide both individual and group counseling opportunities for Hill Country hospitality workers.

“We’re just incredibly grateful to Create Healthy for this funding,” said Valerie Elkins, chair of Texas Wine Auction’s board of directors. “It’s made it possible to provide supportive counseling and education for our hospitality workers who are the very reason our region is such a desirable place to live and visit.”

Create Healthy also recently launched grant funding applications for local organizations working to support mental health in our communities. Investing in the incredible work that’s already improving mental health and care access is a major part of our mission to create a healthier Hill Country. Organizations in Gillespie, Blanco, Llano, or Mason Counties, or in Comfort are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our support for local organizations here.