Mental Health is Health

Mental Health is Health

At United Way, we believe that mental health is health and that we should all care for our mental health just the same as we would our physical health. Besides, many studies have shown uncared for mental health issues can lead to physical problems like high blood pressure, headaches, digestive issues, and sleep problems. So mental health really is health.

For many of us, we might recognize that we aren't mentally healthy, but we're not really sure what to do about it, think counseling is not affordable, or don't know how to find a counselor.

You can find tons of resources below to help you get started or consider talking to...

Your HR manager - many health insurance plans cover counseling, but a lot of people are not aware of this benefit or how to access it.

Your doctor or a doctor if you don't have a physician you regularly see - a doctor can help assess what type of therapy you might need and give you a referral.

Your pastor - many pastors are trained in lay counseling which means they are not licensed counselors but have received some training in counseling. That may just be the support you need, but if you need something more, a pastor can help you get connected.

Your school counselor - school counselors have a lot to do these days and often we think more about them when it comes to academic testing and college prep, but school counselors are trained to support the mental health needs of youth. If she thinks that your child could benefit from ongoing counseling, she can help you get connected. Ask specifically about the TCATT program which offers telehealth services to public school students.

Communities in Schools - if your child's school has a Communities in Schools site coordinator, he can help you get connected to a counselor or therapist. He can also provide some basics skills training like anger management.

 

We also have tons of self-care and mental health resources on Pinterest.

 

Find Support

Hotline/Immediate Help

  • StarCare Specialty Health System Mental Health Hotline: Call 806.740.1450 or text StarCare to 67634
    • Speak with a qualified mental health professional (QMHP) who can provide access to a variety of confidential and anonymous services for coping with disaster common reactions and for managing stress caused by uncertain times. 
  • Texas Youth Hotline: Call or text 800.989.6884 or Chat 
    • Provides free and confidential services to youth, their parents, and other family members of youth in crisis who need help finding a counselor, safe shelter, legal information, other local referral information, or just someone to talk to.
  • SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 800.985.5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
    • Provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. The helpline is free, multilingual, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 800.273.TALK (8255) or Chat with Lifeline; En Español 888.628.9454; People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss call 800.799.4889
    • Free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline connects callers to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
  • Crisis Textline: Text HOME to 741741
    • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, connecting them with a crisis counselor who can provide support and information.
  • The Trevor Project: Call 866.488.7386 or text START to 678678
    • A national 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
  • Trans Lifeline: Call 877.565.8860 for US and 877.330.6366 for Canada
    • Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers.
  • Veterans Crisis Line (VA): Call 800-273-TALK (8255) and press option 1 or text 838255; People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss call 800.799.4889
    • Free, confidential resource that connects veterans 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a trained responder. The service is available to all veterans, even if they are not registered with the VA or enrolled in VA healthcare. 

Support for Youth

  • Family Counseling Services: Visit fcslubbock.org or call 806.747.3488
    • Offering online counseling through the crisis regardless of a client or a family's ability to pay. Individual, marriage, and family counseling available.
  • Catholic Charities: Visit cclubbock.org or call 806.765.8475
    • Free case management and counseling services for youth ages 17 and under are available online.
  • Adolescent Support Network: Visit asnlbk.com or call 806.317.0832 or 806.777.0832
    • Support groups for youth struggling with substance abuse and their parents.
  • Direct Online and Phone Support Services for LGBTQ Youth
    • The Human Rights Campaign compiled some resources that LGBTQ youth and their parents/guardians can access online or by phone. 
  • NIDA Resources for Parents, Families, and Caregivers
    • Provides mobile (phone and text-based) education and support for family members struggling with a loved one’s addiction as well as links to other virtual resources.
  • The Partnership for Drug-free Kids Helpline: Call 855.378.4373
    • For those having difficulty accessing support for their family, or a loved one struggling with addiction and faces care or treatment challenges resulting from COVID-19 circumstances. Support is available in English and Spanish, from 9:00 AM to Midnight ET weekdays and Noon to 5:00 PM ET on weekends.

Support for Substance Abuse

Local Resources:

Resources from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

Resources from the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC):

Other Resources:

  • Online Support Community for Parents & Caregivers of Individuals with Substance Use Disorder: Gatherings are an hour long and take place weekly using Zoom (a free video conferencing service available for download on your computer or smartphone; allow extra time to install before joining your first meeting). You are welcome to join any meeting, although specified gatherings are intended to offer insight more tailored to the age of your child.
  • The Partnership for Drug-free Kids Helpline: Call 855.378.4373 if you are having difficulty accessing support for your family, or a loved one struggling with addiction faces care or treatment challenges resulting from COVID-19 circumstances, the Partnership for Drug-free Kids' specialists can guide you. Support is available in English and Spanish, from 9:00am-midnight ET weekdays and noon-5:00pm ET on weekends.

General Resources

  • Mental Health America
    • Comprehensive list of Mental Health & COVID-19 information and resources, some of which are linked below
  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)'s Online Support Groups
    • DBSA online support groups give people living with depression and bipolar disorder a safe, welcoming place to share experiences, discuss coping skills, and offer each other hope. Groups are led by peers – which means that the person facilitating the meeting knows firsthand what it’s like to live with a mood disorder. Offers special groups for young adults and for family, friends and caregivers who support people with mood disorders.
  • MHA’s Inspire Community
    • A Mental Health America (MHA) online community where people can connect with others. MHA hosts a dedicated mental health community, but there are communities related to a variety of topics.
  • Warmlines
    • Unlike a hotline for those in immediate crisis, Warmlines provides early intervention with the emotional support that can prevent a crisis. The lines are typically free, confidential peer-support services staffed by those who have experienced mental health conditions themselves. 
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support Group and Discussion Community
    • A forum where individuals impacted by COVID-19 can connect and share their concerns.
  • Caregiver Help Desk: Call 855.227.3640
    • Staffed by caregiving experts, the Help Desk helps you find the right information you need to help you navigate your complex caregiving challenges. Caregiving experts are available 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET.
  • Hidden Heroes
    • Support and resources for caregivers with additional concerns about caring for veterans during this time.
  • For a list of free Mental Health Apps for Veterans, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. 

Mental Health Awareness Month Videos