May Focus: Mental Health

Mental Illness: Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives

One in five Central Texans — 20 percent of our population — will experience some form of mental illness in his or her lifetime. Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders; they cannot be overcome by "willpower" and they are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. These medical disorders afflict persons of all ages, races and income levels. Serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, affects one in five families.

Mental illness is a serious issue with serious consequences. Left untreated, the costs are staggering. In Texas, the direct cost of mental illness is estimated to be nearly $6 billion per year. Yet despite being the second largest state, Texas ranks 48th in spending for community mental health services. The costs in human suffering and unrealized potential are equally tragic.

Central Texas is fortunate to have a network of caring agencies offering mental health services. Mental health advocates promote the message that "Treatment Works — Ask For Help."

About I Live Here, I Give Here
Austin is no doubt a caring community. But we don't act on our charitable values by sharing our financial resources with nonprofit organizations. National studies consistently find Austinites give far less to charitable causes than people in other cities. In fact, Austin is ranked 48th out of the 50 largest cities in the nation in per capita giving.

The I Live Here, I Give Here Campaign is on a mission to boost local giving by educating fellow Austinites about the needs in our community.

Find more at www.ilivehereigivehere.org.