AUSTIN, Texas -- Over the last 10 years, more than 1,200 people in Travis County have committed suicide, a new report states.

The Travis County Medical Society Journal said that every three days, someone in Austin commits suicide.

Every day a Travis County resident is released from the hospital after a suicide attempt.

"I thought that I was hopeless and I'm not," said Ilene Gray.

Gray has dedicated her life to telling her story. Since adolescence, Gray had battled a mood disorder that caused symptoms similar to severe depression. Twenty-five years ago it became unbearable and she attempted suicide.

"It was seeing what I was doing to all the people around me. I thought, 'This can't go on. I can't keep hurting my husband like this. I can't keep hurting my daughter like this. I have to go away.'," she said.

MORE | Full report on suicide rates in Travis County (.pdf file)

Gray ended up at Austin State Hospital. It was then that she realized she made a mistake. The years that followed were full of rebuilding, her life, her job and the relationship with her daughter.

"I saw a lot of love and care and concern. I realized maybe I was wrong. Maybe they wouldn't be better off without me. Maybe I better try to pull myself back up," said Gray.

Gray now volunteers with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She tells her story and teaches law enforcement, clergy, and medical professionals how to address those with mental illness.

Since 1999, the suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 30 percent, according to the CDC. The report shows the suicide rate in Travis County has increased over the past 10 years, hitting the highest in 2014 with 143. Last year, Integral Care's Mobile Crisis Outreach Team was dispatched to about 5,000 calls, many from people contemplating suicide.

"Those are generated from the crisis helpline or from the first responders who identify that there is a psychiatric crisis," said Marisa Aguilar.

Aguilar said having services available on the spot is crucial to get people the help they need.

"Anywhere where the crisis is happening, we can respond so that they can feel they have place where they can really talk about what’s going on and then get connected to the support that they need at that time," she said.

Anyone that is in a mental health crisis can call 844-398-8252. If it is an emergency, call 911.