Friends/Family, I'll be participating in the Houston Half-Marathon for the first time this year. The run is on January 15th, 2023. Instead of doing a general entry fee, I've decided to fundraise for Mental Health America of Greater Houston. Mental illness affects all members of the Greater Houston area in some way. According to the University of Texas School of Public Health, more than 30% of Houstonians are within a close social network of someone with a severe mental illness. Methods in how MHA focuses on mental health are: providing education and training for the community, removing barriers to mental health care, facilitating change in systems, advocating for legislative solutions, addresses the vast need for public mental health services, and linking people to those services. MHA continues to shape the mental health of people and communities in the areas of children and education, integrated health care, veterans, and community education. I've decided to donate $125. My goal is $500. If you're able/willing to donate, it is much appreciated.