San Antonio Metropolitan Health highlights free and low-cost crisis and counseling options, including CHCS’ 24/7 hotline: 210-233-7233.
SAN ANTONIO — The Center for Health Care Services Crisis Helpline is 210-223-7233 (or 210-223-SAFE). If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call that number. You can also call the The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
“(They) are both going to have a live person that are going to talk you, see how you are doing. They won’t rush you. They will let you explore your feelings and talk as much as you want,” Jessie Higgins with Metropolitan Health said.
Higgins is the chief mental health officer for the City of San Antonio and Metropolitan Health. She wants people to know that having suicidal thoughts is more common than people think and they should never feel ashamed to ask for help.
“Having thoughts about suicide is very common. It’s something lots of people experience over the course of their life. Life here on earth is not always easy,” Higgins said.
Higgins also wants people to know those thoughts don’t have to be persistent and there is help available.
On Friday, KENS 5 met with Higgins to specifically find out how young people, who often have fewer resources, can get help and counseling.
Calling the number at the top of this article is the first step. Higgins said the Center for Health Care Services helpline should be able to help direct people to local resources.
The second step is to go online to the SACRD Mental Health Portal. Higgins said San Antonio specifically funded this portal to make it easier to find mental health resources.
Counseling is the best way for a person to improve their mental health if they are having a crisis. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost.
Higgins said the SACRD Mental Health Portal is the best option for people to identify free or low cost counseling options in their area.
Once on the site, users can click on the green “Guide me” button and the site will give them prompts to determine where the user is, what issue they need help with, and where they can get help.
Higgins said there should be low-cost counseling options at Center for Health Care Services, the UT Health NOW Clinic, as well as multiple local universities that have counseling centers. She said that website would be the best way to find what was available.
If you know someone who needs help with mental health, Higgins suggests you not just help the person find these resources but also call the hotline with them or go to the website with them. A person in crisis often has trouble processing questions or websites by themselves but a little support can make a huge difference.
“Lets reach in to our friends and family that we see struggling. Point out that “Hey, I’m noticing you are more isolated. I’m noticing that you are more irritable, I’m noticing you feel really disconnected. I’m wondering if it’s time to reach out to help,” Higgins said.
“Show you loved ones that that you are in this with them and that you are willing to walk through this together.”