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Did you know that about 36.5 million Americans smoke cigarettes? Tobacco use is the single largest, preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world. According to the
World Health Organization
, tobacco use is also associated with depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and can lead to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. E
very year, smoking kills about 200,000 people who live with mental illness.
As a way to bring awareness to smoking-related health risks and support individuals who want to become smoke-free, smokers across the country take part in the
American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout each November. On November 16th, many smokers will kick start their goal of quitting smoking. Even if you don't smoke, you can encourage someone to quit smoking and help them take steps toward reducing their risk of cancer and leading healthier lives.
Integral Care believes in Healthy Living for Everyone and supports our clients and employees in quitting tobacco. Over the last several years, we have supported 22 local mental health authorities in their efforts to become tobacco-free through a project called
Taking Texas Tobacco Free. The mission of this project is to promote wellness by reducing tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke among employees, clients and visitors.
In September of this year, Integral Care and the
University of Houston were awarded a 3-year, $1.3 million grant through the
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to help 18 substance use disorder treatment centers in Texas implement a sustainable, multi-component, tobacco-free workplace program. The grant is part of the Taking Texas Tobacco Free project and builds on two other successful CPRIT-funded grant projects with Integral Care and the University of Houston.
People living with mental illness use tobacco products at a much higher rate than the general public, contributing to the risk of chronic disease, and leading to worse health outcomes and higher mortality rates. Integral Care is proud to lead the efforts to reduce tobacco use across Texas among the populations we serve.
Learn how Integral Care is promoting wellness through our services and the Taking Texas Tobacco Free project in our
Program and
Partner Highlight sections. Our goal is to help clients make lifestyle changes that will improve their health and well-being.
David Evans
Chief Executive Officer
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For over four years, Integral Care and the University of Houston have worked together to support hundreds of mental health clinics across Texas in becoming tobacco-free as part of the Taking Texas Tobacco Free project.
Together, we've provided employee education, clinical assessment and intervention training, consultation, policy assistance, treatment resources and practical guidance to support the program. Some outcomes of our joint efforts include:
- Tobacco treatment, education and training for over 5,000 staff members in Texas
- Over 15,000 individual boxes of nicotine patches and gum delivered for free distribution to clients and employees
- 2-day tobacco dependence trainings for approximately 100 prescribers and clinical staff
- Coordination of Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS) training for over 50 clinical staff
- Motivational Interviewing training to enhance tobacco users' readiness to quit to hundreds of clinicians
- Educational resource materials for mental and behavioral health clients and community agencies about tobacco cessation resources and tobacco-free policy implementation
Thank you to Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernandez, Dr. Dan O'Connor, Iman Garrett-Price and the many graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Houston for their support of Taking Texas Tobacco Free.
This important partnership between Integral Care and the University of Houston is a true community-academic collaboration that has improved the health and well-being of our state.
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New Milestones Foundation's Bridging the Gap Gala is Thursday, November 9. This year's gala benefits Integral Care's 24/7 Crisis Helpline. Get your tickets and tables today!
On February 27th and 28th, the
18th Annual Central Texas African American Family Support Conference welcomes three mental health advocates as this year's keynote speakers- Trinia "TiTi Ladette" Cleveland, Nicole R. Conway and Ryan Sutton, PhD.
Register today!
As part of a
federal grant to address the mental health needs of people in Travis County,
Integral Care will be providing clinical training sites, supervision and guidance for students and residents
at the University of Texas. Learn more.
Our 24/7 Crisis Helpline Program Manager Nicole Warren talks to Spectrum News about the importance of round-the-clock support for anyone dealing with a mental health crisis.
Integral Care is offering weekly Mental Health First Aid classes to the community at no cost thanks to a generous grant from St. David's Foundation. Take a class, save a life. Register today.
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Integral Care improves the lives of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our services include 24/7 crisis support, counseling, residential treatment and housing. Integral Care has served Travis County for 50 years.
In Partnership With
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