Coalition forming to focus on mental health

The San Marcos Commission on Children and Youth will host a planning meeting Wednesday, Dec. 5 at noon at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins, in preparation to launch a Coalition on Mental Health.

The Coalition will address the mental health needs of young people up to the age of 24 in our community. Mental health was identified as a critical issue in the city’s original Youth Master Plan and, more recently, was identified as a top priority by the teenagers currently serving on the city’s Youth Commission.

Organizers will bring together the many different individuals and groups in our community working in the mental health field, including: San Marcos CISD and Texas State University employees, mental health workers, medical providers, social service providers, crisis intervention professionals, coaches and teachers, first responders, religious leaders, counselors, parents and young people.

The Coalition on Mental Health will work to:

• Identify existing mental health resources, barriers, and service gaps
• Better support the work of existing organizations
• Establish a set of best practices
• Make a recommendation to the Commission on Children and Youth on effective ways to increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues

Anyone involved in this field is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, contact Youth Services Manager Jessica Ramos at jramos@sanmarcostx.gov.