Most of us are absolutely horrified by the shooting that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. I attended a public elementary school when I was a child and felt very safe, but it was the sixties. Times have changed. Many things have changed in recent decades.
There are two things I have in common with Uvalde. The first is that my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all have roots in Uvalde. It is where they grew up. Most of my relatives were teachers. One of them was a principal many years ago in Uvalde. My half-brother was born in Uvalde. My father was a teacher in another city. Most of my relatives were and are involved in the area of education.
The second thing I have in common with the situation in Uvalde is that my mother suffered from mental illness. She was hospitalized numerous times and attempted to take her own life more times than I care to remember. The discussion of changes in Texas in regards to mental health should be a priority.
Recently, I drove to the Texas State Library in Austin. I was in the area and realized I had never been. I looked into the subject of mental health in Texas and found the following speech by Governor Alan Shivers that was created in 1950!!
Texas, the proud Lone Star State – first in oil – 48th in mental hospitals.
Governor of Texas, Alan Shivers. A special session was called and the speech was given on January 31, 1950.
Sadly, not much has changed in 72 years.
Texas, the proud Lone Star State – first in oil – 48th in mental hospitals. [quote from a speech given by the governor of Texas is 1950!]
WHO LOBBIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN TEXAS? WHO LOBBIES FOR THE HOMELESS?
National Alliance for Mental Illness spent $55,778 for lobbying in the year 2019.
https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2019&id=D000054118
Compare that to $200,000 spent by the American Heart Association in 2022.
https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?id=D000044642
Running Toward Happy 
Heartbreaking, Nancy. We ALL can do better!
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