BY RACHEL LELAND
The conditions
Looking ahead
people die from opioid overdoses in the county, which has two opioid treatment programs—one in Pearland and one in Lake Jackson—according to the report. Texas has historically trailed behind national drug trends, so this number is expected to rise over the next decade, according to the report. Brazoria County has the 12th fastest-growing suicide rate in Texas, according to the report.
Between 2014 and 2023, the county saw a 57% climb in poor mental health days and a 90% rise in fatal opioid overdoses, according to the chamber’s report. Additionally, binge drinking rates nearly doubled during the same period. In 2022, the opioid overdose rate in Brazoria County was 11.6 per 100,000—slightly higher than the state’s rate of 10.3 but lower than the national rate of 24.4. Each year, around 45
Beyond health concerns, officials expect mental health and substance use disorders to cost the county millions of dollars each year if left unaddressed, according to the report. “Untreated mental health conditions and substance use disorders impose a heavy economic burden on the local economy,” Johnson said. “Decrease in absentee work environment or even school participation due to untreated [mental illness] could cost us lots of money as people [are] unable to work or continue to be productive members of society.” Health care spending in Texas is almost twice as high for adults with mental illness as it is for adults without mental illness, and missed work days caused by untreated mental health issues will cost local businesses millions each year, according to the report. Roughly 16% of Brazoria County’s workforce is in the service industry, which often does not offer health care benefits, especially mental health care, according to the report.
What parents should know
During the 2023-24 school year, Pearland ISD’s Department of Guidance and Counseling reported the following cases related to students: 299 visits addressed depression 427 visits related to self- harm
Local school districts have seen a rise in students reporting mental health concerns. Pearland ISD reported over 1,400 student visits related to depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation during the 2023-24 school year, according to the chamber’s report. According to a 2023 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 3 high school girls in the U.S. reported having seriously considered attempting suicide. Over half expressed feeling persistent sadness or hopelessness. From 2007 to 2021, rates of suicide for Americans age 10 to 24 increased by 62%—up from 6.8 to 11 deaths per 100,000 people—and suicide became the second leading cause of death for that age group in 2021, the Pearland Chamber’s report shows. Because outpatient care is only designed to address or prevent crises, an inpatient facility such as the proposed mental health hospital would be equipped to address “the crisis at hand,” Garcia said.
686 visits discussed suicidal ideation
23 visits concerned suicide attempts
Percentage of workers who report fair or poor mental health, by age and gender
SOURCE: PEARLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Female Male
36%
18-29
27%
“A dedicated facility would offer critical support and would ensure that students and families have access
29%
30-39
17%
21%
to timely, professional care, which is vital for academic success, personal growth and overall community health.” LARRY BERGER, PEARLAND ISD SUPERINTENDENT
40-49
16%
14%
50-54
9%
SOURCES: PEARLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, GALLUP, INC./ COMMUNITY IMPACT
10%
65+
9%
20 MINUTES, TWICE A WEEK
New Year, New You, New Start!
Limited time offer! $150 off select membership packages through February!
2 FREE Workouts Scan QR Code!
Pearland (832-787-0201) - 9330 Broadway St. Friendswood (281-397-3236) - 331 E. Parkwood Dr.
19
PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook