Mental Health—Geren’s 25 Years of Callous Neglect

I’ll fund mental health with $1 billion yearly—zero tax hikes—by slashing waste from Texas’s $156 billion budget (LBB, “Fiscal Size-Up 2024-25”). Cut $600 million in corporate handouts—like $100 million film credits and $500 million in bureaucratic bloat (e.g., 5% agency staff trim, LBB, 2011 precedent). Partner with private clinics and nonprofits—e.g., MHMR Tarrant—to deliver counseling, crisis beds, and recovery—no new revenue, just smarter use. Geren’s 25 years squandered billions; I’ll redirect them to heal Texans, proving less government can do more.

Reducing Violent Crime & Alcohol Abuse

Untreated mental illness breeds crime and drugs—10% of Tarrant’s 1,500 violent crimes and 60% of 1,200 overdose deaths tie to it (FBI, “Crime in the U.S.,” 2022; CDC, 2022; SAMHSA, 2023). Early intervention works. My $500 million for inpatient care and threat assessments—10,000 high-risk cases—keeps Fort Worth safer. Funding outpatient therapy and detox (e.g., $200 million for 10,000 slots) cuts relapse—studies show 30% reductions in substance abuse with care (SAMHSA, “Treatment Outcomes,” 2021). Geren’s 25 years let crime fester and drugs flood Fort Worth streets—his inaction fueled the crisis. I’ll fund recovery, not funerals, reducing violent crime and breaking addiction’s grip.

Reducing Homelessness Through Treatment

Mental illness drives homelessness—40% of Tarrant’s 10,000 homeless have untreated conditions (HUD, 2023; NAMI, 2022). Treatment works: San Antonio’s Haven for Hope cut chronic homelessness 20% with mental health beds (Haven Report, 2022). My plan funds 5,000 crisis beds statewide—1,000 in Tarrant—slashing street populations by getting people help, not handouts. Geren’s ignored this—25 years of tents over treatment. I’ll break that cycle with care, not coddling.

Preventing Suicide

Suicide’s a silent epidemic—600+ Tarrant deaths yearly, 80% linked to untreated mental health (Texas DSHS, 2023; CDC, 2022). Counseling saves lives: a Houston pilot cut suicides 15% with hotline and therapy access (Texas HHS, “Mental Health Pilot,” 2022). My $300 million for crisis lines and sessions statewide—50,000 served—stops the tragedy Geren’s ignored. His 25 years left families in District 99 grieving—I’ll give them hope with treatment, not tears.

Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans—38,000 in Tarrant, 7% of us—face PTSD and suicide at double the rate (VA, “Veteran Data,” 2023; CDC, 2022). Treatment’s our duty: VA programs cut vet suicides 10% with therapy (VA, “Mental Health Outcomes,” 2022). My $1 billion includes $200 million for veteran care—2,000 beds, 5,000 sessions statewide—500 beds, 1,000 sessions in Tarrant. Geren’s 25 years forgot those who fought—I’ll honor them with action, not taxes.

Strengthening Border Security

Mental illness drives border chaos—40% of Tarrant’s 10,000 homeless, untreated and mobile, strain enforcement (HUD, 2023; NAMI, 2022). Treatment cuts crossings: stable minds don’t trek north—San Antonio’s Haven for Hope dropped homelessness 20% with beds (Haven Report, 2022). My $400 million shift funds 5,000 beds—1,000 in Tarrant—easing border pressure. Geren’s 25 years left us vulnerable—his border flops fuel crime; my treatment stops it, no taxes raised.

Boosting Economic Stability

Mental illness cripples families—20% of Tarrant adults suffer, losing jobs and homes (NAMI Texas, 2022), while 600+ suicides yearly gut communities (Texas DSHS, 2023). Treatment rebuilds: Houston’s pilot cut suicides 15% with counseling (Texas HHS, “Mental Health Pilot,” 2022), and stable workers save $1 billion in lost productivity (CDC, 2022). My $200 million shift funds 50,000 sessions—10,000 in Tarrant—no tax hikes. Geren’s 25 years tanked Azle’s economy—I’ll lift it with care.

Charlie Geren’s 25-year reign has been a disaster for District 99—his limp leadership let mental illness spiral into homelessness, addiction, suicide, and crime, all while he sat on his hands with a $156 billion budget (LBB, 2024-25). I’m Jack Reynolds, and I’m passionate about turning tragedy into triumph—redirecting $1 billion from Geren’s waste to mental health treatment that cuts these scourges at the root, no tax hikes needed. From Fort Worth’s streets to Azle’s homes, my plan restores lives with more freedoms, less government—proving Geren’s failure ends with me. Join this fight at Jack4TX.org—Texas heals when Geren’s gone.