Getting Professional Help
Your Doctor
You can talk to your doctor or primary care provider about your mental health. Asking them any questions you have is a good starting point in seeking professional care for mental health concerns. Your doctor can share general information, do an initial screening, and give you referrals to mental health specialists.
Find a Provider on Your Own
You can use our Find a Provider locator.
Find the Local Mental Health or Behavioral Health Authority in your area via the Texas Health and Human Services website, then reach out to access services.
Texas Health and Human Services operates 10 state hospitals for people with mental health issues. These hospitals are located across the state.
Search for your local Substance Use Outreach Screening Assessment Referral Center here.
If you have insurance, try calling the customer service number often located on the back of the card. Often, they can provide multiple nearby options based on your zip code.
It is important to remember that some providers may have waitlists. If you come across this in your search for a provider, you can shop around for other providers, utilize self-care while waiting for appointment dates, and most importantly, don’t give up on your search for help.
Federal and State Resources and Professional Organizations
There are also state and federal resources designed to help you find health care providers and low-cost services. Some of the state resources include:
If you’re currently experiencing a crisis, please seek help immediately!
Choose from a list of Counties below.
Texas 2-1-1
www.211texas.org
Dial 2-1-1, option 8
Local Mental Health or Behavioral Health Authority Crisis Number
hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services/
Find your local LMHA and call their crisis line.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Dial 988 for both English and Spanish
If you are a veteran, press 1.
The Lifeline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24/7. The Lifeline connects callers to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss can contact the Lifeline via TTY by dialing 711 and then 988.
Crisis Text Line
www.crisistextline.org
Text “HELLO” to 741741
The Crisis Text hotline is available 24/7. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, connecting them with a crisis counselor who can provide support and information.
Veterans Crisis Line
www.veteranscrisisline.net
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1
or text to 838255
The Veterans Crisis Line is a 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. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss can call 1-800-799-4889.
The Trevor Project – LGBTQ Suicide Help
www.thetrevorproject.org
Visit the site or call 866-488-7386
Text “START” to 678780 or chat online.
Use our Find a Provider tool to find mental and behavioral health service providers.
eLearning Hub
Visit our Behavioral Health eLearning Hub for more resources about how to help yourself and others with behavioral health conditions.
Deciding if a Treatment Provider or Mental Health
Professional is Right for You.
Treatment works best when you have a good relationship with your mental health provider. However, trying to figure out if someone is a good fit for you before the first appointment can be tricky. It’s helpful to have a list of questions ready for potential mental health providers to give you an idea of whether or not they’re the right fit for you. Having prepared questions can also give you information about payment, etc. Some helpful questions include:
- Do you have experience treating someone with my issues? If so, what/how much experience?
- What is your approach to treating someone with my issues?
- How long does this type of treatment usually last?
- What insurance do you accept?
- Do you offer a sliding pay scale?
- What are your fees?
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a free fact sheet that can also help: Taking Control of Your Mental Health: Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider