Essential mental health resources and coping strategies for young women transitioning from foster care. Learn about common challenges, where to find support, and how to prioritize your wellbeing.
Introduction: Your Mental Health Is Just as Important as Your Physical Health
Transitioning from foster care to independent living in Houston is one of life’s biggest challenges. You’re navigating major changes—new living situations, increased responsibilities, uncertain futures—often without the family support systems that many young adults take for granted. It’s completely normal and understandable if this transition affects your mental health.
Here’s the truth: taking care of your mental health isn’t a luxury or a sign of weakness. It’s essential self-care, just like eating healthy food or getting enough sleep. Your emotional wellbeing directly impacts your ability to succeed in school, maintain employment, build healthy relationships, and achieve your goals.
This guide provides information about:
- Common mental health challenges during transition
- Coping strategies and self-care practices
- How to access professional mental health support
- Resources specifically for young adults aging out of foster care
- How to support your own wellness every day
Remember: You don’t have to struggle alone. Help is available, and reaching out for support is one of the strongest things you can do.
Understanding Common Mental Health Challenges
Young adults transitioning from foster care face unique mental health challenges. Understanding what you might experience helps you recognize when you need support.
Anxiety
What It Is: Anxiety is excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life. It’s your body’s alarm system working overtime.
Common Symptoms:
- Racing thoughts or constant worry
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Trouble sleeping
- Physical symptoms (rapid heartbeat, sweating, stomach issues)
- Avoiding situations that make you anxious
- Panic attacks (sudden intense fear with physical symptoms)
Why It’s Common During Transition:
- Uncertainty about the future
- Financial stress and housing instability
- Pressure to succeed independently
- Past trauma triggering fears
- Lack of safety net
- Major life changes happening simultaneously
What Helps:
- Learning relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Medication when recommended by a doctor
- Regular exercise and sleep
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol
- Breaking overwhelming tasks into smaller steps
- Building a support network
Depression
What It Is: Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a persistent low mood that affects how you think, feel, and function.
Common Symptoms:
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Changes in sleep (too much or too little)
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Fatigue and low energy
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Why It’s Common During Transition:
- Processing past trauma and losses
- Isolation and lack of support
- Overwhelming stress
- Uncertain future
- Financial struggles
- Grief about childhood and family
- Chemical imbalances in the brain
What Helps:
- Therapy (especially cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Medication (antidepressants can be very effective)
- Regular exercise (even a 10-minute walk helps)
- Maintaining routines
- Social connection (even when you don’t feel like it)
- Setting small, achievable goals
- Professional support
Important: If you’re having thoughts of suicide, get help immediately. Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741.
Trauma and PTSD
What It Is: Trauma is the lasting impact of overwhelming, frightening, or harmful experiences. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a specific set of symptoms that can develop after trauma.
Common Symptoms:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Avoidance of reminders of trauma
- Feeling constantly on guard or hypervigilant
- Difficulty trusting others
- Emotional numbness
- Irritability or anger
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or reality
Why Trauma Is Common in Foster Care:
- Experiences that led to foster care placement (abuse, neglect, family violence)
- Separation from family
- Multiple placements and disruptions
- Instability and unpredictability
- Lack of control over your life
- Loss and grief
- Systemic failures
What Helps:
- Trauma-focused therapy (EMDR, trauma-focused CBT)
- Creating safety and stability
- Building healthy relationships
- Learning grounding techniques
- Medication when appropriate
- Support groups with others who understand
- Time and patience with yourself
Complex Trauma
What Makes It “Complex”: Complex trauma results from repeated, prolonged traumatic experiences, often starting in childhood. It affects development and creates deep impacts.
Additional Impacts:
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Problems in relationships
- Negative self-image
- Difficulty trusting others
- Feeling different or damaged
- Challenges with identity
Healing Is Possible: Complex trauma takes longer to heal, but with the right support, healing absolutely happens. Be patient with yourself.
Attachment Challenges
What It Means: Early experiences shape how we connect with others. Foster care experiences often disrupt attachment, affecting adult relationships.
Common Patterns:
- Difficulty trusting others
- Fear of abandonment
- Pushing people away when they get close
- Over-dependence on others
- Difficulty being alone
- Rapid, intense relationships followed by conflict
What Helps:
- Therapy focusing on attachment
- Gradually building trust in safe relationships
- Understanding your patterns
- Practicing healthy relationships
- Being patient with yourself
Substance Use
The Connection to Mental Health: Young adults in foster care have higher rates of substance use, often as a way to cope with pain, trauma, or stress.
Why It Matters:
- Substances provide temporary relief but make problems worse long-term
- Substance use can mask underlying mental health issues
- Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing
- Recovery is possible with support
If You’re Struggling:
- Substance use treatment is effective
- Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both mental health and substance use
- Harm reduction approaches meet you where you are
- Medication-assisted treatment can help
- Support groups (AA, NA, SMART Recovery) provide community
Eating and Body Image Issues
Common Challenges:
- Using food to cope with emotions
- Restricting food for control
- Negative body image
- Disordered eating patterns
- Full eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder)
Why They Develop:
- Trauma and lack of control (food becomes something you can control)
- Coping mechanism for difficult emotions
- Past food insecurity
- Cultural pressures about appearance
- Mental health conditions
What Helps:
- Therapy specialized in eating disorders
- Nutritional counseling
- Medical monitoring when needed
- Addressing underlying trauma and mental health
- Building healthy relationship with food and body
Self-Care and Coping Strategies
Professional help is important, but there are also things you can do every day to support your mental health.
Daily Self-Care Basics
Sleep:
- Aim for 7-9 hours per night
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine
- Limit screens before bed
- Make your bedroom comfortable and dark
Nutrition:
- Eat regular meals
- Include fruits and vegetables
- Stay hydrated
- Limit caffeine and sugar
- Don’t skip breakfast
Movement:
- Any physical activity helps mood
- Walk, dance, stretch, play sports
- Even 10-15 minutes makes a difference
- Exercise releases endorphins (natural mood boosters)
- Find activities you enjoy
Connection:
- Reach out to at least one person regularly
- Text a friend
- Video call family if you’re in contact
- Join groups or activities
- Even brief social interactions help
Stress Management Techniques
Deep Breathing: Simple but effective for anxiety and stress.
How to do it:
- Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 counts
- Hold for 4 counts
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth for 6 counts
- Repeat 5-10 times
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Releases physical tension.
How to do it:
- Tense one muscle group (like your shoulders)
- Hold for 5 seconds
- Release and notice the relaxation
- Move through different muscle groups
- Practice for 10-15 minutes
Grounding Techniques: Helps when you’re overwhelmed, having flashbacks, or feeling disconnected.
5-4-3-2-1 Technique:
- Name 5 things you can see
- Name 4 things you can touch
- Name 3 things you can hear
- Name 2 things you can smell
- Name 1 thing you can taste
Other Grounding Methods:
- Hold ice cubes
- Stomp your feet on the ground
- Name objects in the room
- Splash cold water on your face
- Listen to calming music
Mindfulness and Meditation
What It Is: Paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
Benefits:
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Improves focus
- Helps manage difficult emotions
- Increases self-awareness
- Promotes calm
How to Start:
- Use apps (Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer)
- Start with just 2-3 minutes
- Focus on your breath
- When your mind wanders, gently bring it back
- Practice regularly
Journaling
Why It Helps:
- Processes emotions
- Tracks patterns
- Identifies triggers
- Provides outlet for feelings
- Creates record of progress
Ways to Journal:
- Free writing (whatever comes to mind)
- Gratitude journal (3 things you’re grateful for daily)
- Mood tracking
- Letter writing (even if you don’t send them)
- Creative expression (drawings, poetry)
Healthy Distractions
When You Need a Break:
- Watch a comforting show or movie
- Read a book
- Listen to music
- Do a puzzle or play a game
- Cook or bake
- Do arts and crafts
- Spend time with pets
- Take a bath or shower
- Organize a space
Important: Healthy distractions are okay! You don’t have to work on healing 24/7.
Building a Crisis Plan
Before a Crisis, Identify:
- Your warning signs (how you know you’re struggling)
- Coping strategies that help you
- People you can call for support
- Professional resources (therapist, crisis line)
- Safe places you can go
- Things to avoid when in crisis (substances, self-harm)
Keep This Information:
- In your phone
- Written down in a safe place
- Shared with someone you trust
Accessing Professional Mental Health Support
Self-care is important, but sometimes you need professional help. That’s not a failure—it’s taking care of yourself.
Types of Mental Health Professionals
Therapists/Counselors:
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
- Provide talk therapy
- Can’t prescribe medication
- Work on coping skills, processing trauma, changing patterns
Psychologists:
- Doctoral-level training (PhD or PsyD)
- Provide therapy and psychological testing
- Usually can’t prescribe medication (except in some states)
Psychiatrists:
- Medical doctors (MD or DO)
- Specialize in mental health
- Can prescribe medication
- Often provide medication management rather than weekly therapy
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners:
- Advanced practice nurses
- Can prescribe medication
- May also provide therapy
Types of Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
- Focuses on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Teaches coping skills
- Evidence-based for anxiety and depression
- Usually short-term (12-20 sessions)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
- Originally developed for borderline personality disorder
- Teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal skills
- Helpful for intense emotions and self-harm
- Usually involves group and individual sessions
Trauma-Focused Therapy:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Trauma-Focused CBT
- Addresses trauma specifically
- Helps process traumatic memories
- Reduces PTSD symptoms
Other Approaches:
- Psychodynamic therapy (explores past and unconscious patterns)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Narrative therapy
- Art or music therapy
- Group therapy
Finding a Therapist in Houston
Where to Look in Houston:
- Your insurance provider directory
- Legacy Community Health (multiple Houston locations, sliding scale)
- Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
- Houston Center for Psychological Services
- Your doctor for referrals
- Psychology Today therapist finder (filter for Houston)
- Open Path Collective (affordable therapy nationwide)
- University of Houston Psychology Clinic (reduced fees)
- University of St. Thomas Counseling Services
- Rice University Psychology Clinic
- Your transitional housing program (The Pivot Pad can connect you to resources)
What to Look For:
- Licensed in Texas (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, PhD, PsyD)
- Experience with trauma and foster care when possible
- Accepts your insurance or offers sliding scale
- Availability that works with your schedule (evening/weekend options in Houston)
- Good fit (it’s okay to try a few before deciding)
- Accessible via Houston METRO if you don’t drive
Questions to Ask:
- What’s your experience with trauma/foster care/young adults?
- What’s your approach or theoretical orientation?
- How long are sessions and how often would we meet?
- What are your fees? Do you take my insurance?
- How do you handle crises between sessions?
Paying for Therapy in Houston
Options:
- Texas Medicaid (most young adults aging out of Texas foster care qualify until age 26)
- Harris Health System (healthcare for uninsured/underinsured Harris County residents)
- Health insurance (check your policy)
- Sliding scale fees at community clinics (pay based on income)
- Legacy Community Health (multiple Houston locations, sliding scale)
- Harris Center for Mental Health (low or no cost)
- University training clinics (UH, Rice, UST offer reduced fees)
- Employee Assistance Programs (if you’re working)
- Victim compensation funds through Texas Attorney General (if you experienced crime)
- Nonprofit organizations serving Houston foster youth
Houston-Specific Resources:
- Harris Health System: 713-566-6509
- Legacy Community Health: 832-548-5000
- Harris Center Crisis Line: 713-970-7000
Medication
Common Medications for Mental Health:
- Antidepressants (for depression and anxiety)
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Mood stabilizers (for bipolar disorder)
- Antipsychotics (for severe mental health conditions)
Important to Know:
- Medication can be very helpful for many people
- It’s not “cheating” or a sign of weakness
- Finding the right medication takes time
- Side effects usually improve
- Don’t stop suddenly without talking to your doctor
- Medication works best combined with therapy
- You have the right to ask questions and make informed decisions
Working with Prescribers:
- Be honest about symptoms
- Report side effects
- Take medication as prescribed
- Ask questions
- Don’t stop without talking to your doctor first
- Keep track of how you’re feeling
Telehealth Options
Benefits:
- Access from anywhere
- More flexible scheduling
- Often more affordable
- Comfortable in your own space
- More provider options
Platforms:
- BetterHelp
- Talkspace
- MDLive
- Your regular provider may offer telehealth
When to Seek Help Immediately
Get Help Right Away If:
- You’re having thoughts of suicide
- You’re planning to hurt yourself
- You’re at risk of harming others
- You’re experiencing psychosis (seeing/hearing things, losing touch with reality)
- You’re in an abusive situation
- You’re experiencing a severe mental health crisis
Where to Go in Houston:
- Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) – 24/7 national support
- Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) – 24/7
- Harris Center Crisis Line: 713-970-7000 (24/7 Houston mental health crisis)
- Houston Crisis Intervention: 832-416-1177
- Call 911
- Go to nearest Houston emergency room (Ben Taub Hospital, Memorial Hermann, Methodist, etc.)
- Call your therapist’s emergency line
- Houston Police Department Mental Health Division: 713-884-3131
Support Groups and Peer Support
Sometimes talking to people who truly understand makes all the difference.
Benefits of Peer Support
Why It Helps:
- Reduces isolation
- Connects you with people who “get it”
- Provides practical advice from lived experience
- Builds community
- Normalizes struggles
- Offers hope from people further along in their journey
Types of Support Groups
Mental Health Specific:
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support groups
- Anxiety support groups
- PTSD support groups
Substance Use Recovery:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- SMART Recovery
- Refuge Recovery
- Women for Sobriety
Foster Youth Specific:
- FosterClub online community
- Local independent living programs
- Foster youth alumni groups
- Transitional housing program groups
Other Support Groups:
- Eating disorder support
- Grief support
- LGBTQ+ support
- Parenting support
- Domestic violence survivor groups
Online Communities
Benefits:
- Access from anywhere
- Anonymous if you prefer
- Available 24/7
- Connect with people nationwide
Options:
- Reddit communities (r/fosterit, r/anxiety, r/depression)
- Facebook groups for foster alumni
- Mental health apps with community features
- Online forums
Caution:
- Not a replacement for professional help
- Be careful about personal information
- Not all advice is good advice
- Some groups may be triggering
Resources Specifically for Foster Youth
You’re not alone—there are organizations and programs designed specifically to support young people with foster care experience.
National Organizations
FosterClub
- Peer support network
- Resources and information
- Advocacy
- Online community
- Website: fosterclub.org
National Foster Youth Institute
- Leadership development
- Training and education
- Resources
- Website: nfyi.org
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
- Opportunity Passport (matched savings)
- Youth engagement boards
- Resources and support
- Locations nationwide
- Website: jimcaseyyouth.org
Think of Us
- Policy advocacy
- Youth voice
- Resources
- Website: thinkof-us.org
State and Local Resources in Texas
Texas Extended Foster Care:
- Texas allows youth to remain in care until age 22 (Preparation for Adult Living/PAL program)
- Continued support and services through DFPS
- Case management and support
- Contact Texas DFPS: 1-800-233-3405
Texas Medicaid for Former Foster Youth:
- Automatic Medicaid coverage until age 26 if you aged out of Texas foster care
- Covers mental health services, therapy, medication
- No cost or very low cost
- Enroll through YourTexasBenefits.com or call 2-1-1
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services in Texas:
- Life skills training
- Financial support
- Case management
- Educational assistance
- Available through Texas DFPS
Houston-Area Resources:
- Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast: Employment and training services
- Houston Area Urban League: Job training, educational support
- Houston Public Library: 36 locations, free computers, job help, educational resources
- 211 Texas/United Way: Call 2-1-1 for any social service needs in Houston
Educational Support in Houston
Foster Care to Success
- Scholarships
- Support services
- Website: fc2success.org
Orphan Foundation of America
- Scholarships and support
- Website: orphan.org
Houston-Area College Support Programs:
- University of Houston: Guardian Scholars Program
- Houston Community College: Support services for foster youth
- Texas Southern University: Student support programs
- Rice University: Quest Program (full scholarships for low-income students)
- Lone Star College System: Foster youth support
Chafee Education and Training Vouchers (Texas):
- Up to $5,000 per year for education
- For current and former Texas foster youth
- Can be used for college or vocational training
- Apply through Texas DFPS
Legal Help in Houston/Texas
Lone Star Legal Aid
- Free legal services for eligible youth
- Houston office: 832-557-3700
- Website: LoneStarLegal.org
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- Free legal services
- Multiple Texas locations
Foster Youth Rights in Texas:
- Know your rights under Texas law
- Get help with:
- Housing issues
- Education rights
- Benefits access (Medicaid, PAL services)
- Discrimination
- Records access
Employment Support in Houston
Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast
- Career support and job placement
- Multiple Houston locations
- Free services
- Website: WorkInTexas.com
Houston Area Urban League
- Job training and placement
- Career development
- 713-529-4587
Other Houston Workforce Programs:
- YouthBuild Houston
- Houston Job Corps Center
- Year Up Houston
- Goodwill Houston Career Centers
Building Resilience
Resilience is your ability to cope with challenges and bounce back from setbacks. It’s not something you’re born with—it’s something you build.
What Builds Resilience
Connection:
- Having at least one stable, caring relationship
- Building a support network
- Feeling part of a community
Sense of Purpose:
- Goals that matter to you
- Contributing to something bigger than yourself
- Finding meaning in your experiences
Skills and Confidence:
- Learning new abilities
- Achieving small successes
- Believing in yourself
Self-Care:
- Taking care of physical and mental health
- Setting boundaries
- Knowing when to ask for help
Positive Outlook:
- Hope for the future
- Ability to see challenges as temporary
- Finding silver linings
Problem-Solving:
- Breaking problems into manageable pieces
- Trying different approaches
- Learning from setbacks
Your Strengths
You’ve Already Survived a Lot: You’ve been through things that would break many people. You’ve survived foster care, multiple placements, uncertainty, loss, and trauma. That took incredible strength.
You Have Skills You May Not Recognize:
- Adaptability (you’ve adjusted to many situations)
- Resilience (you’re still here, still trying)
- Independence (you’ve had to rely on yourself)
- Empathy (hardship often creates compassion)
- Resourcefulness (you’ve learned to figure things out)
- Strength (surviving doesn’t happen without it)
Build on These Strengths: The skills that helped you survive can also help you thrive. You’re more capable than you may realize.
Supporting Your Wellness Long-Term
Mental health isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing practice.
Regular Check-Ins with Yourself
Ask Yourself:
- How am I feeling emotionally?
- Am I sleeping enough?
- Am I eating regularly?
- Am I connecting with others?
- Am I doing things I enjoy?
- Do I need more support right now?
Monthly Mental Health Check:
- What’s going well?
- What’s challenging?
- What do I need more or less of?
- Is my current support working?
- Do I need to adjust anything?
Maintaining Progress
After You’re Feeling Better:
- Keep doing what helped
- Don’t stop therapy or medication abruptly
- Stay connected to support
- Continue self-care practices
- Watch for warning signs of relapse
- Have a plan for setbacks
Setbacks Are Normal
When You Struggle Again:
- It’s not starting over from scratch
- You haven’t lost all your progress
- Setbacks are part of recovery
- Use the skills you’ve learned
- Reach out for support
- Be patient with yourself
Recovery Isn’t Linear:
- Good days and bad days are both normal
- Progress isn’t always visible
- Healing takes time
- Small steps count
Building a Life Worth Living
Mental Health Support Helps You:
- Achieve your goals
- Build healthy relationships
- Find work you’re good at
- Enjoy your life
- Become the person you want to be
- Create stability
- Find peace
You Deserve to Thrive: Not just survive—actually thrive. Mental health support helps make that possible.
For Friends and Supporters
If you have friends or loved ones with foster care experience, here’s how to support their mental health.
How to Be Supportive
Do:
- Listen without judgment
- Believe them
- Ask how you can help
- Respect their choices
- Be patient
- Check in regularly
- Celebrate their progress
- Remember important dates or events
Don’t:
- Tell them to “just get over it”
- Minimize their experiences
- Give unsolicited advice
- Make it about you
- Pressure them to talk before they’re ready
- Stigmatize mental health treatment
- Abandon them when things are hard
What to Say
Helpful Responses:
- “I’m here for you”
- “That sounds really hard”
- “Thank you for telling me”
- “What do you need right now?”
- “I care about you”
- “How can I support you?”
- “You’re not alone”
Avoid:
- “At least it’s not worse”
- “Just think positive”
- “Everyone has problems”
- “I know exactly how you feel”
- “You’re so strong, you’ll be fine”
- “Just pray about it”
When to Encourage Professional Help
Signs Someone Needs More Support:
- Talking about suicide
- Severe depression
- Unable to function in daily life
- Substance use causing problems
- Self-harm
- Psychosis
- Severe anxiety
How to Bring It Up:
- “I’m worried about you and I care”
- “Have you thought about talking to someone?”
- “Would you like help finding a therapist?”
- Offer to help make appointments or go with them
Taking Care of Yourself Too
Supporting someone is hard:
- Set boundaries
- Practice your own self-care
- Seek support for yourself
- Know your limits
- It’s not your job to fix them
- You can care without carrying their pain
Conclusion: Hope and Healing Are Possible
If you’re struggling with your mental health during this transition, please hear this: You are not broken. You are not weak. You are not alone. And there is hope.
The challenges you’re facing are real and valid. Transitioning from foster care is genuinely difficult, and it makes sense that it would affect your mental health. Your feelings are legitimate, and you deserve support.
Healing is possible. With the right support, coping skills, and time, you can:
- Manage anxiety and depression
- Process trauma
- Build healthy relationships
- Achieve your goals
- Find peace and happiness
- Create a life you’re proud of
You deserve support. Reaching out for help isn’t weakness—it’s one of the strongest, bravest things you can do. It takes courage to admit you’re struggling and ask for what you need.
You’re not alone. Thousands of young adults with foster care experience navigate these same challenges. There are people who understand, resources available, and support waiting for you.
Start where you are. You don’t have to fix everything today. Small steps count. Even reading this guide is a step toward taking care of yourself.
Take Action Today
One Small Step You Can Take Right Now:
- Save the 988 Lifeline number in your phone
- Text one person you trust
- Try one breathing exercise
- Research therapists in your area
- Join one online support community
- Write in a journal for 5 minutes
- Take a 10-minute walk
- Reach out to your case manager
- Download a mental health app
- Make a self-care plan
Remember: Your mental health matters. You matter. And help is available whenever you’re ready.
Crisis Resources
If you’re in crisis right now in Houston:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Call or text 988
- 24/7 support
- Free and confidential
Harris Center Crisis Line (Houston)
- Call 713-970-7000
- 24/7 mental health crisis support
- Houston-specific resources
Houston Crisis Intervention
- Call 832-416-1177
- 24/7 support
Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME to 741741
- 24/7 support via text
- Free and confidential
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
- Call 1-866-488-7386
- Text START to 678-678
- 24/7 support
National Runaway Safeline
- 1-800-786-2929
- 24/7 support
Houston Area Women’s Center (Domestic Violence)
- 24-Hour Hotline: 713-528-2121
- Sexual assault hotline: 713-528-7273
NAMI Helpline
- 1-800-950-6264
- M-F 10am-10pm ET
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
- 1-800-662-4357
- 24/7 substance use support
Houston Police Mental Health Division
- Non-emergency: 713-884-3131
Additional Resources
Mental Health Information:
- NAMI.org (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- NAMI Greater Houston: 713-541-1547
- MentalHealth.gov
- MindfulnessExercises.com
- PsychologyToday.com (therapist finder – filter for Houston)
Houston Mental Health Providers:
- Legacy Community Health: 832-548-5000
- Harris Center for Mental Health: 713-970-7000
- Houston Center for Psychological Services
- Avenue 360 Health & Wellness
- Montrose Center (LGBTQ+ affirming care)
Apps:
- Calm (meditation and sleep)
- Headspace (mindfulness)
- MoodKit (CBT tools)
- Sanvello (anxiety and depression support)
- What’s Up (mental health toolbox)
Foster Youth Specific:
- FosterClub.org
- NFYI.org
- ThinkOfUs.org
- JimCaseyYouth.org
- Texas DFPS: 1-800-233-3405
Education & Employment in Houston:
- FC2Success.org (scholarships)
- Orphan.org (scholarships)
- Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast
- Houston Area Urban League
Texas-Specific:
- 211 Texas: Dial 2-1-1 for any social service needs
- YourTexasBenefits.com: Apply for Medicaid, SNAP, etc.
- Texas DFPS Youth Hotline: 1-800-989-6884
Get Help
Need support in Houston? We’re here.
Contact The Pivot Pad:
- Phone/Text: 832-743-5224
- Email: info@thepivotpad.com
- Contact Form: https://thepivotpad.com/contact/
- Location: Houston, Texas
Talk to Your Case Manager: If you’re in Extended Foster Care in Texas, your DFPS caseworker can connect you with mental health resources and support.
Houston Mental Health Resources:
- Harris Center Crisis Line: 713-970-7000 (24/7)
- 211 Texas: Dial 2-1-1 for any Houston-area social services
- Legacy Community Health: 832-548-5000
Reach Out: You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis. Prevention and early support make a difference.
About This Guide: This resource was created by The Pivot Pad in Houston, Texas to support the mental health and wellbeing of young women transitioning from foster care. While this guide provides helpful information specific to Houston and Texas resources, it’s not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you’re struggling, please reach out for support.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general mental health information and is not medical advice. Always consult with qualified mental health professionals for diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords: mental health resources Houston, foster youth mental health Texas, anxiety and depression support, trauma recovery, coping strategies, transitional housing support Houston, young women mental health, therapy resources Houston, crisis support Texas, self-care strategies, foster care trauma, Houston mental health services
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