988 in Texas
What Advocates Can Do to Spread the Word About 988 and Crisis Care in Texas
Preventing Suicide and Crisis
Many factors influence a person’s mental health such as family history, age, trauma, lack of social support, physical health, financial difficulties, and stigma. Prevention efforts should focus on addressing these risk factors and educating others on the signs and symptoms of mental illness. Once a person notices symptoms, early identification and intervention help to prevent a mental health condition from becoming a crisis. Most mental health conditions progress along four stages.
Stages of a Mental Health Condition
A Mental Health Painscale
It may also be useful to evaluate how you're feeling using a mental health pain scale. This diagram can help you know when may be a good time to reach out to 988.
IMAGE SOURCE: A Simple Mental Health Pain Scale
Research shows that many mental health conditions can be identified by answering a simple questionnaire. Free screening resources are readily available online and only take a few minutes to complete. Mental Health America of Greater Dallas offers eight confidential screening tools that make suggestions based on your score.
Suicide and Crisis
According to Lifeline, some of the warning signs of suicide include:[1]
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Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
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Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
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Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
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Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
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Talking about being a burden to others
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Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
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Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
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Sleeping too little or too much
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Withdrawing or isolating themselves
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Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
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Extreme mood swings
Don’t be afraid to ask someone directly if they are thinking about suicide.
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