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HHSC encourages Texas veterans to access free suicide prevention, PTSD resources

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HHSC Encourages Texas Veterans to Access Free Suicide Prevention and PTSD Treatment Resources

AUSTIN – During June, which is Texas Veterans Suicide Prevention and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, Texas HHS is encouraging military veterans to access the resources available to them for suicide prevention and PTSD.

“When a veteran is battling PTSD, not only does it have an impact on them, it affects their families, friends, and communities. Reaching out for help is the first step toward getting support for them and preventing suicide,” said Sonja Gaines, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. “We connect veterans to mental health care and other invaluable services that can support them.”

According to the most recent data by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), at least 511 veterans in Texas died by suicide in 2018. That suicide rate is almost double the suicide rate of non-veterans in the state. The VA attributes some of those deaths to the military-related trauma that affects 11 to 30 percent of veterans

Texas veterans in crisis can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.  

“It’s important that we know the signs of mental health issues in our friends, family members and others. Also important is helping them to create a safe environment. With education and awareness, we can assist those suffering from mental health issues, help prevent self-destructive behaviors and increase well-being for them and those around them,” said Dr. Blake Harris, Ph.D., director, Veterans Mental Health Department, Texas Veterans Commission.

HHSC administers the Mental Health Program for Veterans, in partnership with the Texas Veterans Commission. The program funds peer-to-peer counseling for veterans and their families through local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities.   

HHSC also funds and administers the TexVet initiative which includes a website hosted by the Texas A&M Health Science Center. The website helps veterans navigate through resources available in their communities including mental health care providers, social groups, job placement programs, and legal assistance. Veterans can also find additional resources by visiting MentalHealthtx.org/veterans.

About Texas Veteran Suicide and PTSD Awareness Month
During the 86th Legislature, Texas lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott designated June as Veteran Suicide and PTSD Awareness Month for a 10-year period beginning in 2019. The awareness month encourages agencies, organizations, and other entities to work together to expand treatment and prevention services for veterans and their families.

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Amon Carter Lake Board to meet

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Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.

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Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal

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The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.

Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.

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City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair

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The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

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