May Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

Meeting link:
https://fortbendcountytx.webex.com/fortbendcountytx/j.php?MTID=m11db3f7350419d2ee981ea3ea1565dc5

Meeting number:
2631 344 9700

Meeting password:
P7a8dkpMmW6

Join from a video or application
Dial 26313449700@fortbendcountytx.webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.


Join by phone
+1-415-655-0001 US Toll
Access code: 26313449700


Global call-in numbers
https://fortbendcountytx.webex.com/fortbendcountytx/globalcallin.php?MTID=mb5bb00e3557acb6fd8f4ca3f1b4338b5

 2023 May Mental Health Month- Lunch & Learn Registration 

Children's Mental Health Summit Registration - 2023

For additional information or resources, please call BHS at 281-238-3079 or email at bhsdept@fortbendcountytx.gov

Back to School

Back to School Resources

General Hotlines

DFPS Texas Youth Helpline

  • Number to Text or Call: 1-800-989-6884
  • Website to Chat: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/youth-helpline/
  • This Helpline provides a call and chat service 24/7 for kids, teens, parents, and guardians. They will listen to what youth in crisis are experiencing and help them see all of their options, reminding them that there are still opportunities for things to change. They offer low-cost/ no-cost referrals for more resources, messaging services for runaway youth, free rides home for runaway youth, and action planning for self-improvement. 99% of the time, calls are immediately answered.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Number: 1-800-273-8255/ 1-800-273-TALK
  • The Lifeline is free, confidential, and always available (24/7). Anyone can call the lifeline to help a loved one, a friend, and themselves. Community crisis centers will answer the calls, and they are equipped to handle crisis calls. They may reach out to local community resources to aid the individual, if needed, and they will provide any resources requested.

COVID-19 24/7 Mental Health Support Line (English and Spanish Speakers, for all of Texas)

  • Number: 832-255-6715
  • This number connects Texans with mental health professionals that listen and offer resources to help them. The Support Line provides trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to people who are currently going though COVID-19 related stress and anxiety. This is a 24/7, confidential, and free service for all of Texas.

Texans Recovering Together COVID-19 Line (English and Spanish Speakers)

  • Number: 936-521-6331
  • This line provides services to families that have been affected by COVID-19 in many Texas counties, including Fort Bend County. They offer 6 free counseling sessions with professionals, as well as referrals to Social Services, Job and Legal Assistance, Transportation, and Medical Care. The Line is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM CST, and it will only be available until January 2022.

School District Resources

*This resource includes a Hotline for students, provided by the district

Fort Bend ISD

Katy ISD

Lamar ISD

Needville ISD

Stafford ISD

Fort Bend County Resources

myFBC App

  • Link to download: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/information-technology/myfbc
  • This app allows the county residents to communicate with the county government in a “better, effective, and more efficient manner.” The app includes features, such as paying county taxes, seeing court and jury information, requesting public records, submitting complaints to departments, COVID-19 updates, and voting information. It can also be translates into 100+ languages, making the app accessible to all.

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services

  • Website Link: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/bh
  • The department was created to assist in addressing the needs of those with mental illness who come into contact with our justice system.  Over the years, Behavioral Health Services has expanded to begin to address those in the community who are high-risk of involvement in the justice system.
Coronavirus

“As we all know there is increased anxiety and worry about the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on our lives. We worry about the impact on our families, ourselves and our community. Managing the anxiety and worry is important.

The fear and anxiety can be overwhelming at times and may impact our ability to take care of our daily responsibilities. Each one of us will react differently based on our own history, coping strategies and nature of our “worries”. We need to be aware that some of this anxiety and worry is “situational” and with healthy coping strategies such as : eating right, getting enough sleep, stay connected with our support systems, engaging in physical activity, and keeping things in perspective, we can manage the anxiety. However, we also need to be mindful and aware that we may need additional supports and even professional help if the feelings become overwhelming. “

- Dr. M. Connie Almeida, Director of Behavioral Health Services

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services

COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

Fort Bend County

Resource Line

During these times of uncertainty, it is likely that individuals will be experiencing excessive anxiety / worry and other mental wellbeing concerns and have questions about mental health resources, please call

281-238-3079

Calls answered Monday thru Friday:  8:00am to 5:00pm

 Resources:

  1. Managing Fears and Anxiety around Coronavirus [Word]
  2. Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope [PDF]
  3. Techniques to Reduce Anxiety [Word]
  4. Children's Coronavirus Sketchbook [PDF]
BHS Highlights

 

 

BHS Highlights 

2025 Wellness Tips Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behavioral Health Services and Fort Bend Regional Council partnered together to host the Hidden in Plain Sight: Youth Substance Use Crisis Training. This 4 hour training took place at the Gus George Academy and hosted roughly 75 participants. The training had guest speakers that included, Dr. Peter Stout—President and CEO of Houston Forensic Science Center, Leandra Henderson—Prevention Program Director, Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, Inc., Riley Owczarzak, MPH, CHES,--Project Coordinator for Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition, Leonard Marshall, MA, LPC, LCDC—Substance Abuse Services Supervisor, Fort Bend Juvenile Probation, and Dr. Philip Kerne—Division Director, Fort Bend Juvenile Probation. The training covered:

Youth drug trends

Decoding social media

Hidden in Plain Site: Mock Teen Bedroom

Youth Substance Use & Mental Health

Some interesting, and alarming, facts learned throughout the training include:

  • From Jan 2021-Dec 2021: 9,134 drugs were identified from the Houston Forensic Science Center and:
    • 3,866 were methamphetamines
    • 1,803 were cocaine
    • 1,033 were marijuana/cannabis
    • 969 were pharmaceuticals
    • 540 were not controlled
    • 244 were phencyclidine or phenylcyclohexyl piperidine
    • 213 were heroin/opium
    • 193 were bath salts (cathinone)
    • 144 were miscellaneous
    • 129 were synthetic cannabis
  • Amazon sells drug paraphernalia, making it deliverable for same day/next day shipment
  • Marijuana is still illegal in Texas and a major differentiation is the marijuana flower plant is a misdemeanor and the marijuana cartridge is a felony
  • Research suggests that CBD is a precursor of THC in e-cigarettes
  • Top apps used for illegal sales:
    • Instagram
    • Snapchat
    • Telegram
    • Facebook
  • Social media influence includes:
    • Through the use of social media advertising, ATOD industries can market to youth, despite the fact that direct marketing to minors is against the law.
    • Teens have access to marketing strategies that don’t count as ads – THE LIKE FEATURE and algorithms.
    • Teen boys are more likely than teen girls use YouTube, Twitch and Reddit, whereas teen girls are more likely to use TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
    • Influencer marketing was considered as the most widespread and trendiest’ communication strategy used by companies.
    • 70% teens say they trust influencers more than regular celebrities.

Behavioral Health Services continues to establish relations with community partners and agencies to fulfill the needs of children and their families in Fort Bend County. Should anyone want to learn more about Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services, click HERE!

 

TEXAS CHANGE IN MIND

 

Behavioral Health Services

Behavioral Health Services

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) was established by the Fort Bend County Council of Judges in October 2010. The department was restructured in December of 2018 to report to Fort Bend County Commissioners Court. Dr. Almeida, a licensed psychologist, is the founding director of the department.

Our staff include licensed psychologists and a psychological associate, a developmental psychologist, a licensed professional counselor, case managers, project/grant management staff, jail diversion coordinator as well as administrative support staff.

The department was created to assist in addressing the needs of those with mental illness who come into contact with our justice system.  Over the years, Behavioral Health Services has expanded to begin to address those in the community who are high-risk of involvement in the justice system. The department also works with the youngest victims of abuse and neglect in an attempt to heal trauma and support family reunification when possible. Working collaboratively with the justice system, health and human services, behavioral health providers, county offices, schools, and the community, BHS continues to increase the awareness of the needs of our most vulnerable populations and guide systems to work collaboratively to better address those.

Mission

Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services works to increase awareness, services and supports to address the complex needs of persons with behavioral health disorders involved in the legal system or at risk of involvement.

Vision

Collaboratively work with the courts, criminal justice, other county departments, behavioral health providers and community organizations to develop needed services to support at risk individuals with behavioral health disorders. Our goals are to foster resiliency, reduce recidivism, support reintegration, recovery and family reunification.

BHS Referral Flyer

 

Referral-Form-for-Always-Parenting.docx

 

This website has been established to serve only as a supplement to the official documents, information, and services available from the County’s governmental offices. While every effort has been made to offer the most accurate and current information available, the information included in this website has been compiled by County staff from a variety of sources and is subject to change without notice to the user.

Information is provided on this website on an “as is” basis. Fort Bend County, its employees, officers and agencies make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, currency, or suitability of the information, products, services, or graphics contained herein. Users of this website are responsible for determining these characteristics in relation to official County documents and the user’s individual needs.

The County’s web pages are not a public forum, and are not intended as an outlet for public speech or expression of individual opinion, irrespective of viewpoint or content, whether by posting or linking.

SOURCE

SOURCE: A Diversion Program for Adolescents

Successful Outcomes Using Resiliency for Child Empowerment

The goal of the SOURCE program is to assist, empower, and provide alternatives to adolescents (ages 11-19) and families with behavioral health needs. We service youth with mental illnesses, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and substance abuse, who are at risk of being involved, or are currently involved in the juvenile justice system.

SOURCE seeks to decrease barriers and assist youth and families with appropriate services to meet their needs. Our goal is to work collaboratively with families to reduce risks, build strengths and resiliency, and support the youth of Fort Bend County.

Follow-up Services: Staying connected with youth and families after discharge from the program is a critical part of our program. Follow up services are provided to the youth and families at various intervals up to one year to assess post discharge functioning and assist with additional services if needed.

 

SOURCE

SOURCE is:

  • Family Focused
  • Strength Based
  • Individualized
  • Community Based
  • Intensive
  • Collaborative

 

SOURCE provides:

  • Family and Youth Intervention
  • Clinical Assessments
  • Education and Outreach
  • Care Coordination
  • Wrap-Around Services
Referral QR Code
 

Scan QR Code or Fill Out Referral Form: https://form.fortbendcountytx.gov/Behavioral_Health_Services_Referral.html

For questions or assistance, please call: 281-238-3079

Questions and Inquiries: BHSdept@fbcx.gov

Part-Time
Case Manager Specialist
Director of Behavioral Health Services
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