When we think of first responders, sirens and flashing lights often come to mind. But there’s another force that arrives at every crisis, working quietly alongside law enforcement and emergency services: our mental health professionals. It’s time we recognize them for what they truly are: first responders who save lives in ways that don’t always make headlines.
At the July 4th floods, mental health teams were there. In the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting, they were there. Every single day, our mobile crisis outreach teams work side by side with police departments and sheriff’s offices, responding to some of the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives. When someone is in crisis, when families don’t know where to turn, when the emergency is invisible but no less urgent—these professionals are the ones who respond.
They are deployed to every disaster, large and small. They are the calm voice that talks someone back from the edge. They are the trained professional who knows that not every crisis requires handcuffs, but every crisis requires compassion. They bridge the gap between emergency response and long-term healing, understanding that trauma doesn’t end when the immediate danger passes.
First responders come in many forms. They wear badges and carry the tools of their trade. They drive patrol cars and unmarked sedans. They speak the language of de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based intervention. Our mental health crisis teams are firefighters for the soul, paramedics for the psyche, and anchors of stability when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
Yet they remain the unsung heroes of our community. While their work is often conducted away from cameras and commendations, its impact reverberates through families, neighborhoods, and lives saved. They operate effectively because they must, quietly because that’s what the work demands, and tirelessly because our community needs them.
It’s time we expand our understanding of what it means to be a first responder. It’s time we acknowledge that mental health professionals don’t just support first responders; they are first responders. They deserve our recognition, our resources, and our respect.
The next time crisis strikes our community, remember: help arrives in many forms. And some of the most powerful responders carry no weapon other than expertise, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to seeing every person through their darkest hour.
Sincerely, Tod Citron Chief Executive Officer Hill Country MHDD Centers Kerrville Editor’s Note: This letter is in response to Susan Hull’s column in last week’s Bulletin.
Newspaper Headlines proclaim that the President has issued a “massive, sweeping, wide ranging” executive order on something or the other. But during the Biden Administration no one was hollering that such a “massive, sweeping, wide-ranging” Executive Order was issued by one man. Yes, all President’s, not just Republican are responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. Not to make the laws, but to enforce them. At least, that’s what it says under Article II of the Constitution. Trump is not the first President to use his office to believe his office was invested with Kingly powers. Both President George W Bush and President Barack Obama used executive orders to grant themselves extraordinary powers to deal with terrorism. Lawmaking done by the President is a clear usurpation of the powers granted to Congress and the States.
Ms. Hull is correct about Congress setting a separation of powers in the Constitution. She is also correct that we conservatives would be concerned if Obama and Biden did things like Trump and would have a great outcry..
However, because most Democrats are probably not concerned or just never seem to remember, here are some Constitutional Violations by Clinton, Obama and Biden.
Chrysler Bailout, contravened bankruptcy laws favoring a junior creditor over secured ones Affordable Care Act-passed without direct congressional approval IRS Political Profiling Labor Board appointments during Congressional recess overturned by SCOTUS The weaking of sexual harassment allegations and free speech on College Campus Clean Power Plan was deemed EPA overreach by SCOTUS Waters of the US order was also ruled an overreach First Amendment Violation with the Net Neutrality Act (Internet) EPA’s Cap and Trade policy on carbon emissions was declared a violation because Congress had already refused to pass such a bill.
Obama declared: “We’re not just going to be waiting for legislation... I’ve got a pen. And I’ve got a phone, and I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions that move the ball forward” No, Left outrage with that little speech.
Clinton aide Paul Begala once boasted: Stroke of the pen, law of the land. Kind of cool.”
Yep, Cool with the Left. Trump: I have an Article II, where I have a right to do whatever I want as president.”
The Left has a STROKE!!! But that’s our weakness on the right, we don’t accept everything blindly as claimed and we do admit that our leaders can make mistakes and sometimes have a big mouth.
Then there are the little things like the Russian Hoax, collusion with Social Media Companies to limit Conservatives voices, hide damaging evidence during an election, false gov. reports to newspapers, destroying sim cards, smashing cell phones, bleaching computers, private servers for gov. computers, destroying e-mails, government records in cars and garages and pushing a Presidential candidate through with no primary election. Dangers to Democracy? Not if the Left does it.
The Left says the Right are racist, bigots, sexist, fascist, deplorable, floating garbage and a threat to democracy. That’s if we just disagree with them. Then they kill a Christian man who just tried to talk with them . They have tried to kill our current President, twice. They killed the first President from our party because of his stance on slavery. BS to their argument that the parties have switches beliefs. Remember Martha Vineyards. How can you support a party of Baby Killers, child mutilators, city Burners, Looters and Murders and law enforcement haters in the name of social justice?
As far as the Health Care issue is concerned, Both sides of the aisle speak between the lines. The reality of how people get health care doesn’t match either side’s portrayal.
Yes, The Federal Gov, prohibits the spending of taxpayer money to provide healthcare for illegal aliens. They are ineligible for federal health care plans including Medicaid and Medicare and Insurance plans under the Affordable Care marketplace. However, Federal Money will pick up the tab if they go to a hospital to get care. The Blue States and Cities even pass laws to give benefits to illegals. Give me a break, whose money are they using?
The extension of covid era subsides lowered premiums and lower qualifications to add other people to the plans. . Republicans in Congress claim the Pandemic is over and the extensions were too high, As for me, the Democrats can stay out of the Republican Primary.
Sources: CATO Institute Blog Article 11/01/23 about King Biden US Constutition.net
John Schuetze Bandera, Texas
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