Mental Health and Substance Use Resources

Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional changes can seek help from a variety of resources that are available for families and persons experiencing mental health or substance use issues.

General Resources

• 2-1-1 connects people with the resources they need across Texas. Search easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs. You may also find the local mental health authority in your area by entering “mental health crisis,” along with your ZIP code, in the search engine.
• Behavioral Health Support in the Community
• Mentalhealthtx.org
• Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council

Children, Youth and Families

• Behavioral Health Treatment for Mothers
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network – Improves access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.
• Texas System of Care – Connects communities to ensure children and youth have access to mental health services.
• Texas Youth Hotline: Life Can Hurt, We Can Help. – Hotline (800-989-6884), text service (512-872-5777) and online chat (TexasYouth.org) available 24/7 for youth to discuss problems and find resources and services.

Crisis Services

• Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text TX to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to reach a trained crisis counselor.
• Crisis Services Search – Find the crisis hotline for the local mental health or behavioral health authority in your county.
• Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention in Texas – Specially trained police officers who know how to intervene with people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Mental Health Crisis Services and Resources

Disaster Behavioral Health

• Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program
• SAMHSA Publications

Individuals and Family Members

• Community Resource Coordination Groups – Local partners and community members who help people with complex, multi-agency needs get benefits and services.
• Family Based Support Programs – Helps families maintain a stable and safe home to reduce the risk of future abuse through family counseling, crisis intervention, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, domestic violence intervention, and day care.
• Family Violence Program – Shelters, counseling and legal advocacy for people escaping family violence or domestic abuse.

Mental Health

• A Community Support Guide for Alternatives to Inpatient Mental Health Treatment, September 2022– Helps people better understand mental health care in Texas. This guide provides basic information regarding the services available across the state and the organizations that can help people get connected to these resources.
• Hogg Foundation – Blogs and email digests on mental health news.
• Mental Health First Aid Training – Learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders in your community.
• Mental Health Services Search – Find a local mental health or behavioral health authority in your area to get connected to services.
• National Alliance of Mental Illness Texas – Improves the lives of people affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy.
• Stigma and Mental Health

Substance Use

• Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral (OSAR) Centers may be the first point of contact for people seeking substance use disorder treatment services. Texans seeking services and information may qualify for services based on need.
• Dose of Reality: Prevent Prescription Painkiller Misuse in Texas – This website is aimed at prevention through education by providing information on opioids, risk factors, and how to safely store and dispose of unwanted prescription painkillers. It also provides vital information for those seeking help for themselves.
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services Search – Find substance use treatment services in your area through the Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral Centers. Texans seeking services and information may qualify for services based on need.

Suicide Prevention

• After a Suicide: Toolkit for Schools (PDF) – A toolkit developed to offer schools general guidelines for action, do's and don'ts, templates and sample materials.
• C-SSRS - Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale – Tool that helps users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.
• Now Matters Now – Skills and support for coping with suicidal thoughts.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center – Provides technical assistance, training, and materials for suicide prevention practitioners and other professionals serving people at risk for suicide.

Veterans

• Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program – Helps local communities increase access to mental health treatment and services for veterans and their families.
• Texas Veterans Portal – Connects veterans, their families and caregivers to the benefits and services earned through their military service.
• TexVet Veteran Community Mental Health Resources – State clearinghouse for trusted information, resources, data, technical support, and research relevant to service members, veterans, their families, and those who serve them.