Every 12 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide, according to Crisis Intervention of Houston. For every one suicide, there are 25 attempts.
And while this season is known for holiday joy, celebrations and family gatherings, this time of year can also be mentally and/or emotionally stressful for some of us in any neighborhood, including Spring Branch.
But help is available, locally and nationally.
The number of suicides overall dropped 3 percent over last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but some groups, including young males and children, as well as young people of color — notably Black people between the ages of 15 and 34 and Hispanic people between the ages of 25 and 34 — saw significant increases in suicide rates in 2020.
Arielle Sheftall, principal investigator at the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, told NPR recently that suicide rates are still very high when examined in a longer-term context.
If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is just a phone call — or a text — away. There are numerous local and national resources for mental health to turn to for assistance.
Houston area residents can call 211 for help with local mental health care services through Harris County Public Health 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At Crisis Intervention of Houston, hotlines are operated by trained volunteer crisis counselors. Crisis counseling is provided to immediately help a person in crisis or dealing with suicide ideation find emotional stability.
The hotline number is 832-416-1177 for the general public. Teens can also call TeenTalk at 832-416-1199 or text 281-201-4430.
Spring Branch Community Health Center, with clinics at 1615 Hillendahl Blvd. and at 8575 Pitner Road in the Spring Branch Management District area, provides services to insured and uninsured patients in the areas of mental and emotional health.
Schedule an appointment online: https://www.sbchc.net/
Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, 2801 N. Gessner Road
Houston, can be reached for a free consultation at 832-834-7710.
Watch this video of the hospital CEO speaking about the current situation in children’s mental health.
Memorial Hermann — Spring Branch Mental Health Crisis Clinic, 10780 Westview, is another local outpatient mental health service provider developed to serve individuals experiencing a mental health crisis situation.
For more information regarding the Mental Health Crisis Clinic hours or services please call 713-338-MHCC (6422).
For additional links to local services, including services in Spanish, visit the Mental Health America of Greater Houston website: https://mhahouston.org/mental-
For MHA’s 24-hour crisis center, call 800-273-TALK (8255) or text MHA to 741741
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK (8255) or 800-SUICIDE. If you are a veteran in crisis, call 800-273-8255, then press 1.
As always, for life-threatening emergencies, please contact 9-1-1. Be sure to tell the operator that it is a “mental health emergency” and ask for emergency responders with Crisis Intervention Team training.
— by Dorothy Lillig
