MHMRA of Harris County - Annual Report Fiscal 2013-2014 | Page 5

T h e Co mm u n i t y N e e d

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mong the most vulnerable members of society are those
suffering from Mental Illness and/or IDD – yet they
are each full of untapped potential. At MHMRA of Harris
County, our mission is to help those individuals reach their
promise, and be acknowledged as contributing, valuable
members of their communities.
Mental disorders are generally one of two types: mental illness,
such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression;
or IDD, such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or more severe
conditions, such as in those individuals with extremely low
intelligence quotients. In some, a dual diagnosis of mental
illness and IDD may be present.
These conditions are devastating for the affected individuals,
and equally traumatic for their families, their friends, and the
community at large.
Unfortunately, the community’s needs far outweigh the
resources available. Texas ranks 49th among states in per
capita mental health funding. Harris County ranks among
the lowest of Texas counties.1 A conservative estimate of
Harris County residents diagnosed with severe mental illness,
such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression,

is 137,000. Intellectual & developmental disabilities affect an
estimated 200,000 Harris County residents.2
Besides the often tragic human cost, the consequences of
an insufficiently funded system include economic loss,
homelessness, an increase in suicide rates, increased (and
expensive) juvenile and adult criminal justice system
involvement and about a nine to 20-year decrease in life
expectancy for individuals with serious mental illness.1

w h at w e d o to a d d r e s s t h e n e e d

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HMRA served over 47,000 individuals each year Disability and Autism Services, and Comprehensive
during the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year period. More than Psychiatric Emergency Programs - we deliver and coordinate
95 percent of them were below the Federal poverty level. services that are customized to the individual, so they may
MHMRA is a substantial part of the public safety net to the achieve optimal personal levels of mental wellness.
extent possible. It is the largest public
MHMRA stands as a resource for the
provider of developmental disability
MHMRA service plans are
and mental healthcare in Texas and one
community, to provide and coordinate
uniquely
designed
to
meet
of the largest such organizations in the
service, to educate the community
the needs of each person
United States.
about mental disorders and to assist
other community organizations in
Mental illness and IDD do not affect everyone the same way. learning how to best deliver these vital services. Through
MHMRA service plans are uniquely designed to meet the high-quality, cost-effective, compassionate patient-centered
needs of each person. Through our three service divisions – services, MHMRA helps deliver improved outcomes for
Mental Health Services for Adults and Children, Intellectual Harris County residents.
Annual Report 2013-2014 | Building Brighter Possibilities | pg. 2