FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rene Hurtado
(915) 319-2075
rhurtado@epmhmr.org



1,500 patients and families to protest Mental Health Waiting List
in Downtown El Paso



(October 12, 2008, El Paso, TX) Unless State lawmakers increase funding for mental health services in the upcoming legislative session, over 1,500 El Pasoans will have to go on a waiting list for services.

On Thursday, October 16 at 6:00 p.m. 1,500 El Pasoans coping with mental illness will march to San Jacinto Plaza to raise awareness of the need for funding. The Mental Health March will begin at the corner of Stanton and Arizona and will culminate in a rally at the San Jacinto Plaza.

“We are gathering 1,500 people because that is the number of children and adults that will go on the waiting list next year unless we receive funding to increase monthly service targets,” says Gary Larcenaire, CEO for El Paso Mental Health & Mental Retardation.

Organizers hope the march will send a message to Austin lawmakers and will provide a powerful visual statement about the impact of a community-wide waiting list. For more information on participating in the walk, please call 887-3410.




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