May is Mental Health Awareness month and I’m staring the month off with a mental health support guide to help you, people you love, or your community when we need support now. Feel free to scroll down to this guide for free resources below. But if you got some capacity – reflect with me on the current state of our mental health support system.

Unfortunately, I think most of us are already VERY aware of our personal and cultural mental health struggles in the United States. But, if you aren’t, allow me to highlight this with some stats from the state I live in.

Texas Mental Health Access Report
In 2024, Forbes Advisor rated Texas the worst state for mental health care for the second year in a row. Congrats Texas – YOU DID IT! Turns out, Texas is the state with the second highest percentage of adults who are not insured (21.4%) and the second highest percentage  for youth with depression that do not receive mental health services (74.9%). Here’s some more fun numbers: 

• 2nd in youth with private insurance that does not cover mental or emotional health (19.4%)
• 3rd in adults struggling with mental health that can’t see a doctor due to cost (31.5%)
• 3rd fewest mental health centers per capita
• More than half of adults struggle with mental health don’t get treatment

A System Built on Control

Mental health treatment began in the United States with physicians trying to understand why enslaved people would want to runaway or die by suicide. It must be that something is wrong with them for wanting to do such a thing. This is how the first suicide prevention programs were developed (Decolonizing Therapy). This the the foundation our mental health industrial complex is built upon – feeding a narrative of individuals that are broken – there must be something wrong with our brains and bodies. 

I know these numbers and history don’t create a wave of hope. But my desire is for you to understand that maybe… just maybe… you aren’t broken. Maybe diversity in nervous systems is normal. Maybe depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. are natural responses to the world we live in. What if we all had healthcare, stable housing, supportive communities, etc? Would these numbers in Texas be so high?

We need more than diagnoses, medication, and individual therapy. We need more than self-care tips, breathing techniques, and positive affirmations. We need our systems to actually support us and we need community care if we are going to move to a place of wellness instead of survival.

Systemic changes are slow going – and we need support now. We have always needed community and will need it moving forward for our mental health. This month my goal is to empower you with FREE resources to help yourself, others, and your community when you are struggling. I’m starting out with a mental health support guide to use if you or someone you know is needing help now. Check out this guide below and you can always find more information on my emergency resources page.

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Waco Area Support

Below I’ve gathered some information for support in McLennan and surrounding counties. You can also visit my Resources Page on my website for more recommendations like recommendations for counselors, volunteer opportunities, non-profits to support, etc.

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Other Healing Resources

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All of these resources are just a few places to start! Make sure to check out my Resources Page or Emergency Resources Page to explore more options.

Next week for Mental Health Awareness Month I’ll share a blog on making your own personal safety/crisis plan – something we should all think about! Until then – leave me a comment on what else you think I should add my list above!