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Murr appointed to mental health committee

Kerrville Daily Times (TX) - 11/26/2015

Nov. 26--The Texas House member representing Kerr County has joined a new committee focusing on mental health.

The committee, according to a statement from state Rep. Andrew Murr's office, is charged with developing recommendations on how to improve the state's behavioral health system, including options for early identification of mental illness and improved collaboration between mental health entities.

Murr said in an email that mental health is an issue that should be important to all Texans, as it is likely that everybody knows someone who has been impacted by a mental health issue.

"This select committee will hopefully work to bridge a variety of differing areas that touch upon mental health, be it from individual training to insurance to our criminal justice and juvenile justice systems, to better assist Texans in offering services and resources in the most effective and efficient matter available," Murr said in the email.

Kerr County and the Hill Country include a number of state-funded mental health resources, including the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Center and the Kerrville State Hospital. Murr said he has met with these organizations in the past, and plans to communicate with them further to learn more about their concerns regarding mental health.

"I have met and toured local facilities and fully intend to remain engaged with our local resources when considering any changes or improvements to state policies relating to mental health," Murr said in the email.

Mental health funding in Texas from the state was minimal for some time, at about $41 per capita per year between 2004 and 2013. In 2013, the Legislature increased spending by about $250 million, and the 2015 Legislature continued funding, with the current two-year budget giving about

$2 million per year to mental health services.

Murr said in the email that he has prior experience with mental health needs, particularly in rural areas.

"As a county judge, I executed many mental health warrants, saw how mental health needs can impact our local governments' limited budgets, and realized the need for access to limited state resources in rural Texas," Murr said. "As your state representative, I believe that we must work diligently to ensure that rural Texans' needs are not overlooked when considering any changes in state mental health policy or funding."

The committee is comprised of 13 members of the Texas House.

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(c)2015 the Kerrville Daily Times (Kerrville, Texas)

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