Texas Mental Health Resources
Whether you’re in Austin, Houston, a small town in West Texas, or anywhere in between, this page lists mental health resources available to Texans. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, start with the crisis hotlines at the top.
Crisis Hotlines
9-1-1 for immediate, life-threatening emergencies.
9-8-8 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Call or text, 24/7. Free and confidential. You can also chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: press 1 after dialing 988 to reach the Veterans Crisis Lifeline.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386. 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. Also available by text (text START to 678-678) and chat at TheTrevorProject.org.
LGBTQ+ National Hotline: (888) 843-4564. Peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals.
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860. Peer support for transgender individuals.
Statewide Resources
2-1-1 Texas (Texas Health and Human Services Commission). Call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Texas for help finding food assistance, housing, financial aid, mental health services, and more. Available 24/7. Select Option 8 for mental health. You can also search online at 211texas.org.
Find Your Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA): Texas has 39 Local Mental Health Authorities serving every county. Your LMHA can connect you with counseling, crisis services, psychiatric care, and substance use support, often on a sliding-scale fee basis. Find yours through Texas HHS.
Texas988.org: texas988.org. Information about 988 services in Texas, including what to expect when you call.
Austin and Central Texas
Integral Care (Travis County LMHA): 24-hour crisis hotline (512) 472-HELP (4357). Provides mental health, substance use, and intellectual disability services. integralcare.org
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services (Williamson County and surrounding): 24-hour crisis hotline (800) 841-1255. bbtrails.org
Hill Country MHDD Centers (Hays County and south): Crisis hotline (877) 466-0660.
Bastrop County Family Crisis Center: (888) 311-7755.
Austin Child Guidance Center: (512) 451-2242. Counseling for children, teens, and families. austinchildguidance.org
Communities in Schools, Central Texas: (512) 462-1771. Dropout prevention, academic support, mentoring in schools. ciscentraltexas.org
Dallas-Fort Worth
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA): 24-hour crisis line (866) 260-8000. Serves Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall counties.
MHMR of Tarrant County (My Health My Resources): 24-hour crisis line (800) 995-3228. Serves Tarrant County.
Houston
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD: 24-hour crisis line (713) 970-4000. Serves Harris County. theharriscenter.org
The Gulf Coast Center: (866) 222-1818. Serves Galveston and Brazoria counties.
San Antonio
The Center for Health Care Services: 24-hour crisis line (210) 223-1400. Serves Bexar County. chcsbc.org
If You’re in a Rural Area
Access to mental health services can be harder outside metro areas. Every county in Texas is designated as a mental health Health Professional Shortage Area, which means the need is recognized even where providers are scarce. Here’s where to start:
Call 2-1-1 (Option 8). This is the single best starting point. The 211 system covers the entire state and can connect you with services in your county, including sliding-scale counseling, food assistance, and crisis support.
Find your LMHA. Every Texas county is served by a Local Mental Health Authority, even the most rural ones. They offer crisis services, outpatient counseling, and psychiatric care. Many now offer telehealth. Use the Texas HHS directory to find yours.
Virtual therapy. If there aren’t therapists near you, virtual sessions with a Texas-licensed counselor are an option. I see clients across the entire state through secure video sessions.
Churches and faith communities. In many smaller Texas towns, local churches and religious organizations are a first point of contact for people in need, regardless of whether you’re a member. Many can connect you with counseling, financial assistance, or food resources.
Community Services
Meals on Wheels Central Texas: (512) 476-6325. Food delivery, in-home care, veteran services, home repair, and relief from loneliness stemming from depression. mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org
Central Texas Food Bank: (512) 282-2111. Food assistance across 21 Central Texas counties. centraltexasfoodbank.org
Urban League (Austin): (512) 478-7176. Home repairs, financial empowerment, workforce development. aaul.org
United Way of Greater Houston: Provides the 211 call center for 33 counties. uwgh.org
If you know of a resource that should be listed here, let me know and I’ll add it.