Join the Conversation. Change the Conversation.
In times of crisis, like the one we face now, it’s especially important to support mental health. Studies show that one in five adults experience mental illness, yet less than half receive the support they need.
Many individuals do not seek mental health treatment because of a lack of resources or the feared stigma attached to mental illness.
What You Can Do to Change the Conversation
The social distancing our community is practicing can lead to increased feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, boredom, anger, frustration, irritability and even stigmatization if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Learn to recognize these feelings and reach out to family, friends or other people in your support network or a trained professional to talk about your mental health.
Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional changes due to the pandemic can seek help from these resources.
The new COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line offers COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. Call 1-833-986-1919 to reach a mental health professional.
- 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.
- Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text TX to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to text with a trained crisis counselor.
- 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.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a helpful COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide (PDF) for individuals with questions or concerns related to COVID-19.
- National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) represents the nation’s agencies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, providing services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. NASDDDS features COVID-19 disaster toolkits and other federal resources (PDF).
- The Arc is greatly concerned about the threat of COVID-19 to people with disabilities, their families, and the workforce that supports them. The Arc offers a list of resources to help people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and service providers to understand this global pandemic.
- The Administration for Community Living (ACL) works to improve the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities through services, research and education. ACL offers COVID-19 resources specifically for individuals with disabilities.
- For plain language information on COVID-19, visit Self Advocacy Info, which provides a COVID-19 booklet (PDF) written by and for people with disabilities.
- Learn how to reduce stress in yourself and others.
United we can change the conversation around mental health.