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El Paso County proclaims May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month; providers outline events and resources
Summary
Commissioners adopted a resolution designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and heard from Emergence Health Network and NAMI El Paso about crisis resources, youth events and new services.
El Paso County Commissioner’s Court on April 28 approved a resolution recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and heard presentations from Emergence Health Network (EHN) and NAMI El Paso about community resources, outreach events and expanded youth services.
Commissioner Steve Stout sponsored the resolution and said the month’s theme, “awareness into action,” should push local government and advocates to improve services. The court voted to adopt the resolution; Judge Ricardo Samaniego seconded the motion and it passed.
Christie Doherty, representing Emergence Health Network, described EHN’s community outreach: a Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day at the El Paso Zoo on Saturday, May 3, a children’s services remodel unveiling May 16 at 8500 Boeing, and a youth crisis outreach mobile van operating in rural areas. She highlighted free crisis lines: the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a local crisis line at (915) 779‑1800 answered by EHN mental‑health professionals.
Ysidro (Isidro) Torres of NAMI El Paso summarized NAMI’s year‑round education programs — NAMI Basics, Family‑to‑Family, Peer‑to‑Peer and school presentations — and said NAMI reached more than 4,400 El Pasoans through presentations and thousands more through awareness efforts. He announced a NAMI mental‑health night at the El Paso Chihuahuas on May 22 and urged continued partnership across schools, providers and community groups.
Commissioner Lydia Butler noted El Paso’s third annual gun buyback event on May 17 and asked EHN and NAMI to coordinate outreach; she said firearms are a leading method in local suicides and the buyback complements mental‑health outreach.
The court’s resolution recognized Emergence Health Network, NAMI El Paso and other local providers for “their dedication and service” and directed county staff to support awareness and outreach activities.
