FACILITY | ADDRESS | PHONE # | WEBSITE |
DEPARMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES | 400 E Highway 243, #10, Canton, TX 75103 | (214)-951-7902 1-800-252-5400 | txabusehotline.org |
ATTORNEY GENERAL - CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION | 300 W. 15th Street Austin, TX 78701 | 1-800-983-9933 | texasattorneygeneral.gov |
LEGAL AID FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSULT | 4920 North I-35, Austin, TX 78751 | 1-844-303-7233 | legalaidforsurvivors.org |
LAWYERS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - WOMEN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | 1515 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201 | (214)-760-7830 (214)-748-8773 | womenslaw.org |
BRIGHTER TOMORROWS | 928 Bluebird Dr.Irving, TX 75061 | (972)-254-4003 (972)-262-8383 | brightertomorrows.net |
HOMELESS-Dallas Hope Charities | Dallas Hope Charities | Instill dignity, stability, and Hope For All. |
Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Approximately 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. Mental health issues significantly impact young people. Half of all mental health disorders start by the age of 14, and 75% begin by the age of 24. Mental health conditions have a significant economic impact. They result in decreased productivity, increased healthcare costs, and adverse effects on the overall quality of life for individuals and their families.The prevalence of mental health conditions among children and adolescents is increasing. Common mental disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. Depression is the most common mental disorder, affecting more than 264 million people globally. Suicide is a tragic outcome of many mental health conditions. It is estimated that close to 800,000 people die by suicide each year, making it the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are even more prevalent. Many individuals do not receive adequate treatment due to lack of awareness, stigma, and limited access to mental health services. There are substantial disparities in mental health care access between countries and within regions.
Few mental health providers outside of those in the public sector are able to immediately serve people who are in crisis. This makes community mental health programs like Texas’ Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) the best option when you’re having a mental health crisis and need help right away. The people who answer Texas crisis lines can help determine the best response to your crisis, whether it’s assistance with obtaining inpatient treatment or setting up a first appointment with a counselor. They will also listen and offer immediate support. In Texas, LMHAs are often good options for people with one of the three diagnoses they were originally authorized to treat (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), especially people who have one of those diagnoses and limited financial means. It is also often easier to obtain substance use disorder services through the public mental health system than through the private sector. Texas is currently expanding its public mental health system and updating eligibility requirements to extend services to people with other conditions including anxiety or trauma-related disorders. Whether you can get services for one of these conditions currently depends on which LMHA you call and their budget at the time. Available services vary among LMHAs but typically include psychiatry, medication management, case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, skills training, and counseling. Texas typically restricts counseling by type and diagnosis; most LMHAs that offer counseling offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to people with major depressive disorder and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) to people with PTSD (note that some LMHAs still aren’t budgeted to serve people with a diagnosis of PTSD unless they also have one of the “big three” diagnoses). In general, it never hurts to call. The staff that answer the phone lines for LMHAs in Texas aren’t just familiar with their own programs, but also know about other programs in the community that can meet the needs of people who aren’t eligible for public mental health care. A phone call can provide immediate support and help you confirm that you’re ready for treatment. If you find out that you’re not eligible or that your local LMHA isn’t a good fit, you can search for free or low-cost private practice counselors on https://www.opencounseling.com/ or try https://www.betterhelp.com/get-started/?go=true&transaction_id=102521ac193637677494859d0831d7&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=157&utm_medium=macOS&utm_content=&utm_term=¬_found=1&gor=start
Texas’s public mental health programs impose stricter eligibility requirements for services than programs in other states. Many public mental health programs in America restrict access to people who have serious mental health conditions that impact their ability to function and who are at risk of psychiatric hospitalization. For decades, Texas has limited access to public mental health services even further by only serving people with one of three diagnoses: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder. Recently, a movement to expand services to a wider range of people has gained traction. In 2013, the Texas Legislature approved a policy that expands eligibility for public mental health services to people with other psychiatric diagnoses. In theory, people in Texas who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, attention-deficit disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder can now be admitted to public programs. However, the law only requires programs to serve this expanded range of clients when they have “sufficient resources,” and many LMHAs continue to limit services to people with one of the “big three” diagnoses. To know whether a program has expanded its eligibility requirements, area residents have to call and ask. Over time, more programs may update and expand their eligibility requirements. In addition to clinical requirements, many public mental health programs in Texas have financial eligibility requirements. To qualify for services, you usually need to have either Medicare or Medicaid or to have no insurance and limited financial means. It is important to note that not all public mental health services in Texas have income restrictions. Crisis services in each region are open to any area resident who is experiencing a mental health crisis, regardless of their diagnosis or income level.
Our individualized programs are designed to show gratitude to our nation’s veterans, brighten the holiday season for their families and provide high-touch, customized care to treat the root cause of invisible wounds of war, such as posttraumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, self-medication and insomnia.
Our Friends Place is dedicated to providing a foundation for girls and young women to build from adversity by learning a self-reliant approach to their own development. https://www.childrenandfamilies.org/
Child and Family Guidance Center community leader in mental healthcare, takes a compassionate and comprehensive approach to treating children, adolescents, and adults with mental and behavioral health challenges. As the first agency of its kind in Texas, CFGC has proudly continued to serve our community since 1896. At CFGC, we strive to treat the whole person with individualized treatment planning and proudly offer comprehensive care options including
▸ Psychiatric Evaluations
▸ Medication Management
▸ Individual Screenings
▸ Counseling & Therapy
▸ Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services for Adults
▸ Skills Training for Children
▸ Case Management
▸ Comprehensive Telebehavioral health and Telepsychiatry
▸ Crisis can strike any time, day or night. When feelings of hopelessness, isolation, shame, and anxiety lead people to think that suicide is their only option, the can't wait for help. They need to talk to someone at our suicide and crisis hotline...now. https://www.sccenter.org/
▸ Legacy Cares
Providing one-on-one and group mental health and substance abuse counseling and care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The relationship between gun violence and mental health is a complex and debated topic. While it is true that some individuals with mental health conditions may be involved in acts of violence, it's essential to understand that the majority of individuals with mental illnesses are not violent, and most acts of gun violence are not committed by individuals with diagnosed mental. Here are some key points to consider:
▸ Prevalence: The vast majority of people with mental health conditions are not violent. Research consistently shows that individuals with mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
▸ Risk Factors: Some studies suggest that certain factors, such as substance abuse, a history of violence, or a combination of mental illness and other risk factors, may increase the risk of violent behavior. However, the presence of a mental health condition alone does not reliably predict violent behavior.
▸ Focus on Serious Mental Illness: When examining the relationship between mental health and gun violence, it is crucial to focus on severe mental illnesses such as untreated schizophrenia or psychosis, as these conditions may be associated with a slightly increased risk of violence, particularly when accompanied by substance abuse or non-adherence to treatment.
▸Access to Firearms: Studies have shown that access to firearms is a significant contributing factor to the lethality of violent acts, including homicides and suicides. Easy access to guns can exacerbate impulsive acts of violence, regardless of mental health status.
▸ Prevention and Intervention: Efforts to prevent gun violence should focus on multiple factors, including addressing systemic issues, promoting responsible gun ownership, improving mental health services and support, and implementing evidence-based violence prevention strategies.
▸ Stigma and Misconceptions: Linking mental illness to gun violence can perpetuate stigma and discourage individuals from seeking help. It is important to promote accurate information, reduce stigma, and ensure that people with mental health conditions receive appropriate support and treatment.
There is a significant connection between mental illness and homelessness. Mental illness can be both a contributing factor to homelessness and a consequence of being homeless. Here are some key points to understand the relationship:
Addressing the connection between mental illness and homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that includes increased access to mental health services, affordable housing options, supportive services, and community-based interventions. It is crucial to recognize that homelessness is a multifaceted issue that involves various social, economic, and structural factors, and addressing mental health needs is just one aspect of the broader solution.
▸ COVID-19 pandemic led to increase in loneliness around the world</a><br>People around the world experienced an increase in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, although small, could have implications for people’s long-term mental and physical health, longevity, and well-being. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/05/covid-19-increase-loneliness
▸ Children with attention, behavior problems earn less money, have less education, poorer health as adults. Children who struggle with attention and behavior problems tend to end up earning less money, finish fewer years of school and have poorer mental and physical health as adults, compared with children who don’t show early attention and behavior problems. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/06/children-behavior-problems-poorer-health
Social stress, problem-solving deficits contribute to suicide risk for teen girls. Teen girls who have greater difficulty effectively solving interpersonal problems when they experience social stress, and who experience more interpersonal stress in their lives, are at greater risk of suicidal behavior. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/05/social-stress-suicide-teen-girls
Therapy sessions benefit mothers, children in homeless shelter</a><br>Short-term therapy sessions with parents and their children in homeless shelters could help improve parenting skills and reduce parental stress and children’s posttraumatic stress symptoms.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/05/therapy-mothers-children-homeless
More than a quarter of U.S. adults say they’re so stressed they can’t function. Concerns high around civil liberties, inflation, violence, with nearly half of adults saying they don’t feel protected by U.S. laws. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/10/multiple-stressors-no-function
APA calls for police reforms aimed at curbing use of force, protecting marginalized populations. APA has passed a wide-ranging resolution on policing that seeks to expand training programs to include de-escalation techniques, build stronger relations with mental health service agencies, minimize targeting of people of lower socioeconomic status, and encourage officers to restrict when they use force. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/08/police-reforms
Most efforts to prevent suicide focus on why people take their lives. But as we understand more about who attempts suicide and when and where and why it becomes increasingly clear that how a person attempts–the means they use–plays a key role in whether they live or die. “Means reduction” (reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal means) is an important part of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. It is based on the following understandings (click on each to learn more):
Firearm access can be a politically-charged topic. We welcome both gun owners and non-gun owners to this website. It is designed to introduce a non-controversial, “lethal means counseling” approach to reducing a suicidal person’s access to firearms and other lethal means. Families and friends who are concerned about someone can also help. Read more about ways to bring up storing guns off-site. Clinicians concerned about a patient should also consider addressing firearm safety with the patient, or with their family. The Harvard Injury Control Research Center is dedicated to reducing injury through training, research, intervention, evaluation, and dissemination. The Center has published hundreds of studies on injury topics ranging from motor vehicle crashes to alcohol use to youth violence and suicide. The Center is part of the Harvard School of Public Health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/