Our hearts have been breaking as we watch news coverage of the tragedy in Connecticut. In Fort Worth, we remember only too well the heartbreak of the shooting at Wedgwood Baptist Church in 1999.
Again, we see good people seeking answers. Is it society? Is it guns? Is it mental illness? Is it a toxic mix?No one in their right mind would do such a horrible thing.During my 14 years representing District 98 and Tarrant County, I have seen our communities face many vexing challenges. The challenges associated with mentally ill children and adults are among the most important.If the answers were simple, we would have found them long ago.After the Wedgwood shooting, community leaders, first responders and mental health providers came together to create the Mental Health Connection. This organization enables better coordination of public and private agencies addressing the mental health needs of our community.By breaking down barriers and sharing resources, our community has found ways to bring innovative practices here, train many professionals in specialized approaches, and blend state and local funds to accommodate the needs of our neighbors who are mentally ill. Our community is recognized as a national model in collaboration.I am particularly proud of the development of a statewide approach to ensuring that all Texas communities have access to effective mental health crisis services. In Tarrant County, these services can be accessed through our MHMR Center. Trained professionals are available by phone 24/7 at 817-335-3022 to help resolve situations by linking people to the right support. MHMR also provides a Mobile Crisis Outreach Team that can work with individuals and families in troubled times and to avert a crisis.JPS Hospital operates a state-of-the-art psychiatric facility for people who need to be hospitalized for brief periods and trains much-needed psychiatrists for practice. Our law enforcement agencies have received specialized training in understanding mental illness, and they work hand-in-hand with mental health professionals.There is always room for improvement. In a few weeks, a new Texas Legislature will be sworn in, and its members will face a series of new challenges. Not all the members will remember Wedgwood. We should be proud of how our communities turned a tragedy into a focused effort to deliver better mental health services.Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Newtown, Conn. Their tragedy reminds us that we must build on the mental health infrastructure we have developed here, and that the best way to face our challenges is to be aware and work together.Rep. Vicki Truitt of Keller is outgoing Texas House member for District 98.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
