MHMRA of Harris County

I think my friend or family member needs help. What should I do?
Taking the first step to getting help is one of the hardest things someone can do. You are welcome to call our 24 hour HelpLine (713-970-7070) to get information regarding your concerns and what kinds of services are available at MHMRA and in the Greater Houston Community. It is important to remember though that you cannot change anyone and that in order to receive services at MHMRA your friend or family member must want to get help. If you feel your friend or family member is a threat to themselves or someone else the best way to get help is to look at options for involuntary treatment. Two such options are: UT-Harris County Psychiatric Center ( http://hcpc.uth.tmc.edu/) and Houston Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (www.houstontx.gov/police/cit.htm).

Caring for someone with a mental illness or mental retardation can be very tiring and frustrating at times. Remember the importance of taking care of yourself. There are many support groups and activities in the Greater Houston Area that can be of assistance to you. Two groups that offer assistance or resources are: NAMI — the National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://www.nami.org) and Arc of Greater Houston (http://www.thearcofgreaterhouston.com/).

Will the HelpLine provide me with counseling or therapy?
No! Individual or group therapy with a licensed professional is the most effective way to learn to deal with long-term, ongoing, or repetitive problems. HelpLine counselors are trained in crisis intervention techniques and are well informed about resources in the Greater Houston area and what MHMRA of Harris County can provide. The HelpLine will do it’s best to help you work through the current crisis and then refer you to appropriate agencies for counseling or therapy.

What are the HelpLine’s hours?
Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days/week — 713-970-7070.

A friend has talked about suicide. How do I know if I should take him seriously?
Take every comment about suicide seriously! Sometimes people state very directly that they are thinking about killing themselves and sometimes they drop hints that they are thinking about suicide. A person might say, “My family would be better off if I was dead,” “Nobody would even care if I was gone,” “Sometimes I just can’t take it anymore,”…. Ask the person directly if s/he is thinking about suicide. Ask about the plan - the more specific the plan, the more likely it is a person will attempt suicide. A person who has attempted in the past is more likely to attempt again. For more tips on talking with a person who is considering suicide, go to the websites of the American Association of Suicidology (www.suicidology.org) and/or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) and or the Mental Health Association in Texas to view a Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Texas Communities. Call the HelpLine to discuss your concern about your friend or family member.

Can I look for resources online?
Yes. You can find information and resources through MHMRA's E-Source Directory and through the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast at (www.uwtgc.org).