Associated Press - November 9, 2009 6:45 PM ET

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - State lawmakers say mental health programs for Texas veterans will receive $5 million for expanded services.

Gov. Rick Perry on Monday announced the plan that calls for directing money from the state Health and Human Services Commission budget toward mental health treatment programs for veterans and their families.

Perry said the money will supplement $1.2 million in similar funding passed by the Legislature earlier this year.

The funds will be partly used to establish veteran-to-veteran peer support groups.

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