The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

01/19/2023

New 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline Sees Record Demand

Jennifer Battle, our Vice President for Access & Community Engagement, recently spoke with The New York Times about the impact of the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. The Harris Center’s Crisis Line Counselors answer over 40% of Texas’ 988 call volume, which amounts to thousands of calls per month. Since the Lifeline changed to the 988 number, more people than ever before have reached out when they need support, thanks to increased awareness and ease of communication. We are so proud to have Jennifer and all the Crisis Line Counselors on our team as they transform and save lives every day.

If you need support, you can call the 988 Lifeline or The Harris Center’s local access line at 713-970-7000. Counselors are available 24/7, so you never have to feel alone.

Switching from a 10-digit number has improved the reach of the National Su***de and Crisis Lifeline, crisis workers said. It has fielded over two million inquiries since it opened six months ago.

01/18/2023

HIRING FAIR: Now hiring Harris Center Heroes! Join us on Wednesday, January 25th to learn more about job opportunities here at the Harris Center. We are currently looking for: Care Coordinators, Service Coordinators, Wraparound Facilitators, Psychiatric Technicians, Residential Specialists, and Peer Support Roles. You can get details on benefits, meet hiring managers, interview for open positions and potentially receive a job offer on the spot! Register here: bit.ly/3WZc5qI

If you’re interested in joining our team, come to our job fair at Room 104, 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77074, from 10AM-3PM on Wednesday, January 25th! Hope to see you there!

01/16/2023

It's Mental Health Monday! On today's MHM, Dr. Li shares some tips to help you integrate mental wellness into your daily life. Give them a try and see how you feel!

01/16/2023

Today, as we remember Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., we look to honor his legacy as a call to action to fight for systemic change and uplift our community. Together, we can help strengthen our community through direct action that addresses inequity and creates a brighter future for all. If you are able, consider using this day as a chance to volunteer to serve others or give back to the community in some way – today is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service.

While our offices are closed in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, our access line remains open 24/7 to anyone who needs support.

01/13/2023

The deadline is almost here! You have until January 15th to submit your application.

Are you a masters-level student interested in healthcare management? The Harris Center is offering a semester-long Administrative Internship Program starting in January. Interns will take an in-depth look at the healthcare industry, observe the challenges that not-for-profit, clinic-based systems face, and develop a better understanding of clinic operations at all levels (including clinical and support services). Interns will also learn about the integration of behavioral health with overall healthcare outcomes while gaining experience working in a public behavioral health system.

The application period begins today and runs until January 15, 2023. If you are passionate about mental healthcare, The Harris Center is the perfect place to further develop your skills.

01/11/2023

HIRING FAIR: Now hiring Harris Center Heroes! Join us on Wednesday, January 25th to learn more about job opportunities here at the Harris Center. We are currently looking for: Care Coordinators, Service Coordinators, Wraparound Facilitators, Psychiatric Technicians, Residential Specialists, and Peer Support Roles. You can get details on benefits, meet hiring managers, interview for open positions and potentially receive a job offer on the spot! Register here: bit.ly/3WZc5qI

If you’re interested in joining our team, come to our job fair at Room 104, 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77074, from 10AM-3PM on Wednesday, January 25th! Hope to see you there!

01/10/2023

January 2023 has been proclaimed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Preventing human trafficking is a community-wide effort that requires understanding the facts, dispelling myths, and unconditionally supporting those impacted by this crime. We can also start by addressing the social inequities that put certain populations at a disproportionate risk due to marginalization and systemic inequality. To learn more about human trafficking prevention, you can visit: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking

As part of this campaign, January 11th is ! You can help raise awareness by wearing something blue and sharing photos on your social media with the hashtag .

01/09/2023

Today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and we would like to thank the Law Enforcement Officers & Organizations with whom we partner that protect and serve Harris County. Thank you for ensuring community members with behavioral health needs get the care they need to stay safe!

01/09/2023

Today's MHM focuses on National Pharmacist Day, happening on January 12th! We want to recognize and thank our Full-Time and Relief pharmacy teams dedicated to supporting our multiple pharmacy locations and serving our patients’ needs here at The Harris Center.

01/06/2023

Photos from HCSO Neighborhood Policing Division's post

01/02/2023

Happy New Year! Dr. Li is here to discuss New Year's resolutions for today's Mental Health Monday. One of the best ways to avoid becoming discouraged is to set realistic, small goals for yourself. This will make your resolution much easier to manage and maintain through 2023!

12/30/2022

If you are working on any resolutions in the New Year, it's common to struggle with consistency. Be patient with yourself! Change takes time. You can help your brain break old patterns and start new habits with science-backed techniques like habit-stacking.

Have you heard of habit-stacking? You can take advantage of your current habits (like brushing your teeth, making coffee, etc.) and stack a new behavior on top. This makes it easier for you to remember the new habit, and you’re using neural pathways that are already formed, so there is less resistance to the change.

12/29/2022

Let’s talk about New Year’s Resolutions! If you are setting any goals for yourself this year, keep in mind that you are human, and it is not easy to create new habits overnight.

Your brain wants to stay safe, and familiarity = safe! To start forming new habits, you can help form new neural pathways in your brain using science. A new habit takes about three months to become routine, and you can help the process by visualizing yourself in the future – what does achieving your goal feel like? What does it look like? Detailed visualization helps prime your brain to welcome the change in routine.

12/28/2022

Have you ever noticed how our insecurities are targeted during New Year’s? It’s hard to constantly face pressure from advertising without letting it affect your self-image.

The most attainable goals are centered around self-compassion rather than shame. Remember that gaining and losing weight is morally neutral. You can incorporate habits like regular exercise and eating more nutritious foods as an act of self-care without measuring your success by your body weight.

If you are struggling, our access line is always open at 713-970-7000. We are here for you.

12/27/2022

Hope you had a great holiday weekend! Dr. Li is here to share some tips on ensuring you are being mindful and inclusive of anyone avoiding alcohol this season. This can be a challenging time of year for anyone staying sober, and it's important to remember that no one owes an explanation for why they might not be drinking. Stay safe during your New Year's parties!

If you are struggling, please reach out to our access line at 713-970-7000 for support and learn how The Harris Center can help you.

12/27/2022

Timeline photos

Are you a masters-level student interested in healthcare management? The Harris Center is offering a semester-long Administrative Internship Program starting in January. Interns will take an in-depth look at the healthcare industry, observe the challenges that not-for-profit, clinic-based systems face, and develop a better understanding of clinic operations at all levels (including clinical and support services). Interns will also learn about the integration of behavioral health with overall healthcare outcomes while gaining experience working in a public behavioral health system.

The application period begins today and runs until January 15, 2023. If you are passionate about mental healthcare, The Harris Center is the perfect place to further develop your skills.

12/23/2022

Happy Holidays from The Harris Center! As a reminder, our offices are closed on the 23rd and 26th. Our 24/7 access line is open through the holidays – if you need any support, call us at 713-970-7000. We are here for you whenever you need help.

12/22/2022

The holidays are full of indulgence – it’s the season of delicious treats, home-cooked meals, leftovers, and party foods, to name a few. Food is a social and cultural touchstone, so why does it often come with comments about shame and guilt?

Be mindful of how you refer to your body and eating habits this season. Jokes and comments about calories and exercise can often be triggering to people in eating disorder recovery, people dealing with body dysmorphia, or anyone on a journey to self-acceptance. No food is inherently “bad” or “good” – it’s just food! Enjoy yourself this holiday season without having to justify your choices to yourself or anyone else.

If you need support during the holidays, you can always reach us at 713-970-7000. The phone line is open 24/7.

12/20/2022

This week’s MHM is all about SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD affects around 10 million Americans and presents as feeling down/depressed when there isn’t as much sunlight outside. You can help manage SAD by reconnecting with friends and family or even trying light therapy to help your brain cope during the darker days. Take care of yourself, and if you need support please reach out to us at 713-970-7000 – the line is open 24/7, including holidays.

12/20/2022

The holidays often look perfect on a screen with happy families in matching pajamas surrounded by a mountain of gifts… but that’s not the most realistic image for many of us. If you struggle this time of year with grief, whether it be from going no-contact, the loss of a loved one, or simply feeling ostracized: your feelings are valid, and you deserve to enjoy this time of year just as much as everyone else.

Family doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some families are small, some are struggling, and some aren’t related by blood at all. The chosen families we find throughout our life can be some of the most rewarding and memorable bonds we make with other people. Whichever way you find community this season, know that you are not alone and you are loved.

If the holidays start to feel overwhelming, you can always reach us at 713-970-7000, any time or day. We're here for you whenever you need someone to listen.

12/19/2022

Somehow, the holiday season manages to sneak up on us every year and usually comes with many different stressors. Kids are home from school, budgets are being stretched with gifts and groceries, and there are events to host and attend… the list could go on.

If you feel like you’re being stretched too thin with too many expectations placed on you, please be gentle with yourself and practice setting boundaries. Don’t feel like the Grinch for saying “no” or asking for help this season. Set a good example for others by advocating for yourself – you’re the authority on your feelings and needs.

If you need support, please reach out to us at 713-970-7000 at any time. We are here for you 24/7.

12/19/2022

Photos from Travis County Judge Andy Brown's post

12/16/2022

12/16/2022

With the holiday season upon us, we are sharing some mental health tips to help you navigate the complex emotions that can be stirred up right now. You’ve probably seen advice to “stay present,” but what does that actually look like?

A simple way to introduce mindfulness into your life is to start a gratitude journal! This can be as easy as opening the notes app on your phone or carrying a small notepad. Write down anything that makes you smile, no matter how small or inconsequential it seems. This is just for you, so be as earnest as you want – no judgment! Studies show that regularly practicing gratitude helps alleviate depression and anxiety because it gets our brains in the habit of staying in the present. Try it out for a week and see how you feel!

If the holidays are starting to feel overwhelming, you can always reach out to our access line at 713-970-7000. We are there for you 24/7.

12/15/2022

The holidays are here, bringing up all kinds of complicated emotions for people. Let’s talk about it! This time of year can often feel stressful for many reasons – you are not alone if you don’t feel happy all the time.

There can be a lot of pressure to make your holiday season feel or look a certain way, but keep in mind that social media and movies can set up unrealistic expectations. If the holidays make you feel stressed about doing everything the “right” way, remember that living in the present and honoring your happiness will always feel more rewarding than getting the perfect photo for Facebook. Give yourself some grace, take a break from your phone, and maybe even make new traditions that feel more aligned with you.

If things start to feel too overwhelming, you can always call us at 713-970-7000 to get support. Our access line is open 24/7.

12/15/2022

12/10/2022

Human Rights Day is observed on December 10th each year to mark the anniversary of the day that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The UDHR is a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being and calls upon everybody to stand up for human rights.

While progress has been made, there is still more work to be done. The Harris Center believes that mental health is a human right and that everyone deserves access to mental healthcare without fear of discrimination or disrespect. We are here for you when you need support, and we will continue to work together to ensure a more sustainable, accessible, and just world.

12/08/2022

Are you a masters-level student interested in healthcare management? The Harris Center is offering a semester-long Administrative Internship Program starting in January. Interns will take an in-depth look at the healthcare industry, observe the challenges that not-for-profit, clinic-based systems face, and develop a better understanding of clinic operations at all levels (including clinical and support services). Interns will also learn about the integration of behavioral health with overall healthcare outcomes while gaining experience working in a public behavioral health system.

The application period begins today and runs until January 15, 2023. If you are passionate about mental healthcare, The Harris Center is the perfect place to further develop your skills.

12/07/2022

The Blueprint was a huge success!

Hosted by the Coffeehouse, The Harris Center's program for adults with autism, The Blueprint provided a space for creative entrepreneurs to show off their skills and share their talents with the public.

Thank you to everyone who participated and attended the Blueprint. Everyone had an amazing time getting to browse all kinds of handmade artwork and crafts, as well as take home some door prizes and other treats. We appreciate the artists sharing their work with us and we can't wait to see what's next.

We hope to see you again next year!

12/05/2022

TODAY! Come get a free photo with Santa and welcome in the holiday season 🎅❤️ He's here until 3PM!

12/02/2022

Popular Science has recognized the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline with a “Best of What’s New” award! In July 2022, the Lifeline switched to a three-digit code that’s easy to remember when you’re seeking help. Since it went live, there has been a 45% increase in use and shorter hold times overall – this means people are being helped when they need it most! The Harris Center covers over 40 Texas counties, and our Crisis Line Counselors answer over 40% of Texas’ 988 call volume. We are so proud of our counselors and our community members who trust us when they need support.

12/02/2022

It’s that time of year! The Harris Center is proud to offer a fun and safe holiday activity to all employees, clients, and their families. Stop by room 104 of 9401 Southwest Freeway on Dec. 5 from 8 to 3 p.m. to participate in our Photos with Santa celebration. Participants will receive a free picture with Santa, a goody bag and a wonderful time. 🎅🎄

12/01/2022

The 988 phone system is down! You can still reach counselors here at The Harris Center by calling 713.970.7000 if you need support in the meantime.

12/01/2022

Today on World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their lives to HIV-related illnesses, show support to those living with HIV, and come together as a community to end the stigma surrounding this diagnosis. People living with HIV have a higher chance of developing mental health conditions due to the stress of healthcare inequality, discrimination, and feelings of isolation. Integrative care that addresses mental health leads to better health outcomes and helps build a stronger community.

If you are seeking support, you can reach out to our counselors at 713-970-7000 any time.

If you’d like to get tested for HIV, you can find a testing center at locator.hiv.gov