September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Create Healthy is working to augment mental health services and supports in the Hill Country

September 6, 2024 (Fredericksburg, Texas) – September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, an important time to bring awareness to the public health crisis that claims a life every 11 minutes in the U.S.

Since 2020, the suicide rate in Texas has increased more than 36 percent, with rural, non-metro areas reporting suicide mortality rates at a much higher rate than urban areas. The suicide mortality rate in rural, non-metro areas of the state is about 30 to 45 percent higher than the rate in metro areas, and the suicide mortality rate is increasing faster in non-metro areas, according to the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.

Identified by our community as a priority, behavioral health care is a core funding area for Create Healthy. This year, the philanthropy has provided more than $400,000 in grant funding to support and augment area behavioral health projects and services, including:

• Bilingual mental health counseling provided by the Good Samaritan Center.
• Counseling and education for hospitality, service, and retail workers through Texas Wine Auction’s Wellness Uncorked Program.
• Mental health resources through NAMI Texas and Caritas Family Assistance Network.
• Youth mental health at the Grace Center.

In addition, Create Healthy is leading the creation of the Hill Country Mental Health Coalition to bring together law enforcement, schools, individual behavioral health care providers, social services organizations, and others to identify areas of service need, support potential collaborations and partnerships among existing entities, and strengthen available resources. The first meeting of the Mental Health Coalition will be held later this month.

“Create Healthy is pleased to bring together our Hill Country mental health practitioners to explore ways we can improve access to needed behavioral health care and increase supports when and where they are needed,” said Jayne Pope, RN, CEO, Create Healthy.

The national 988 phone line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.