Oct. 28: Mental illness, domestic abuse

HOUSTON – Mental Illness accounts for more disability than any other group of illnesses!

  • An estimated 25 percent of adults in the United States reported having a mental illness in the previous year!
  • African American Women are more likely than all other women to die from breast cancer!
  • 23 Women died in Harris County last year as a result of domestic violence!

All of the above statistics reflect an eye opening reality within our community and are the topics on this week's Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.

Dr. Lois Moore has spent 55 years working and advocating within the Houston healthcare community and currently is the Chief Administrator for the Harris County Psychiatric Center. Her center  is  responsible for treating persons with mental illness in Harris County. Dr. Moore says access, or lack of it, is one of the key factors influencing the quality of our mental health care and provides a road map that can alleviate many of the mental illness issues and stigmas in our community.

Dr. Jamie Terry has spent the past 17 years specializing in diseases of the breast and is on the front lines of surgical remedies and works to bring awareness to the prevention and treatment of breast disease. The reality is that there is a higher than normal rate of death from breast cancer within the  African American community. Dr. Terry talks about ways African American women and in fact all women can take a proactive role in their breast health care. She is joined by Kelly Hodges, the National Program Director for The Sisters Network, the only national African American breast cancer survivors organization in the United States.

Rebecca White is the President and CEO of the Houston Area Women's Center and as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness month provides critical advice for anyone involved in what might be in a volatile relationship. A classic example is Laura White, a survivor of domestic violence. She tells Khambrel about the day her ex-husband nearly killed her with a shotgun blast to the abdomen. Her advice may be critical to any woman listening about ways to escape a dead end and violent relationship.

It is a fast moving and informative half hour! Watch Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall Sunday at 10 a.m., right after Meet the Press with David Gregory. 

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