BEAUMONT, Texas — Tomorrow, people in Southeast Texas will have a chance to join the conversation about mental health and seek solutions.
The Southeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) will hold its first meeting of the year at the Spindletop Center North Campus.
Organizers have three goals.
- Involve community stakeholders in supporting mental health providers.
- To spread awareness about what services are available to you.
- This is to announce the so-called “Year of Visualization”.
Counselors say there is a real need for this type of support in the area.
As communities continue to feel the effects of Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, and the COVID-19 pandemic on top of their daily lives, TCA wants to remind those struggling with mental health that they are not alone. We are hosting this conference to let people know.
“Without unity, there is no community,” said Damian Bennett, president of the Veterans Association for SETX Veterans.
Bennett understands mental health issues through personal experience and working with fellow veterans.
“It's okay to talk about it. It's okay to admit that you have a problem. Some people are willing to admit it and talk about it openly, but it's almost impossible,” Bennett said.
Bennett was pleased to hear that experts from across Southeast Texas will gather on Saturday to spread awareness about mental health treatment options.
“Mental health is a serious issue. Mental health diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are important.”
TCA Regional President Emily Ross works closely with Bennett as VA clinical liaison for veterans.
She will present “The Year of Visibility” at the first TCA conference this year.
“This is truly a place for mental health professionals to come together to replenish, refresh and take care of each other,” Ross said. “What we are trying to do is come together as a group and talk about what we need and what will help us feel supported by the city.”
Ross told 12News that mental health professionals in Southeast Texas haven't had a formal way to organize in nearly five years. But now TCA is back to normal and is inviting all mental health professionals in the region to participate.
“A good first step would be to talk to the community about mental health providers, so we can talk about mental health issues and maybe normalize mental health in general throughout the community,” Ross said. said.
TCA's first meeting will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the Fowler-Harris Room on Spindletop North Campus.
Lunch will be provided and admission is free for the general public.
