One in five adults experiences a mental health condition every year according to the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses, and men more likely to take their own lives than women.
Texas Suicide Prevention reports that “suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for Texans, the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 24, and the second leading cause of death for college age students. Nationally, Hispanic female teens report the highest number of suicide attempts, and Texas has more reported attempts for this group than those reported nationally.”
High numbers bring need for mental health services. Unfortunately, local resources are limited.
Board Trustee for Camino Real Roberto Ruiz said there is certainly a need for these types of services.
“This year we were able to open a clinic in Maverick County, and it was opened because of the need. We’re serving other neighboring counties as well. There are many adults and many minors,” said Ruiz, adding that Camino Real, the only local mental health resource, also make home and school visits if the case merits.
“We service nine counties but Maverick County is the one that has the most need,” said Ruiz.
Eagle Pass Police Chief Alberto Guajardo said the department has received several calls for incidents related to mental illness.
“I know county just had a situation this past weekend and we’ve dealt with that situation,” said Guajardo.
Guajardo also recalled a recent incident in which a homeowner’s son burned down the house.
“It was an incident where the son of the homeowner set the house on fire and said he was going to do it again. He was evaluated by MHMR,” said Guajardo. “Luckily nobody else was home.”
Guajardo recognizes the issue as a sensitive one, especially for families of those suffering from mental illness, and that related cases are often difficult to handle.
Officers have gone through trainings to learn how to better approach such cases,said Guajardo, but sometimes the incidents are still difficult to handle.
“When there is a critical case involving a person with mental illness the person in question is not a criminal,” said Guajardo. “He hasn’t committed a crime, he’s just not following proper medical protocol.”
To speak with a counselor about any problem, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to be connected to a counselor.