I think my family member needs help.
This can be a difficult and stressful situation to deal with. It is best to express your concern(s) honestly and directly. Talk about behaviors that worry you and try not to sound like you are making judgments. You might say, “I am really worried about you because you have not slept in three days,” or, “I was scared last night when you got angry and threw the book across the room.” Tell them that you want them to get help. You may also offer to go along to the first appointment as support. You can contact the Crisis Line at 1-800-392-8343 if you fear for their safety or wish to talk about your concerns.
Is Crisis Line like counseling or therapy?
No. Crisis line workers help you through an active crisis. It is their job to get you the help you need during the crisis. After the crisis, they can refer you to the right agency for professional counseling or therapy once you are no longer in crisis.
What are Crisis Line’s hours?
Our Crisis Line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may call 1-800-392-8343 to speak with a crisis line worker.
A friend has talked about suicide. How do I know if I should take him/her seriously?
Call Burke’s 1-800-392-8343 Crisis Line to discuss your concern about your friend or family member. Take every comment about suicide seriously. Sometimes people state very directly that they are thinking about killing themselves and sometimes they drop hints that they are thinking about suicide. A person might say, “My family would be better off if I were dead,” “Nobody would even care if I was gone,” “Sometimes I just can’t take it anymore,”…. Ask the person directly if he or she is thinking about suicide. Ask about the plan – the more specific the plan, the more likely it is a person will attempt suicide. A person who has attempted suicide in the past is more likely to attempt again. For more tips on talking with a person who is considering suicide, visit the websites of the American Association of Suicidology (www.suicidology.org) and/or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) and/or the Mental Health Association in Texas to view a Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Texas Communities.
How long does it take to access Mental Health Services?
Establishment of eligibility is required before a person may receive any service. Providing Burke with previously documented evidence of a qualifying diagnosis (i.e., schizophrenia, mood disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, related condition) will expedite service entry. Once this information is obtained, it generally takes no more than a few weeks to access services.
I’ve heard the waiting lists for Mental Health Services are extremely long. Is this true?
The wait time varies depending upon the service. Each program will have specific information regarding wait times. Good preparation is key. Discuss your future needs with family and other advocates and determine when is the right time to get on a waiting list.