The Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team, which responds to the calls, said it believes the spike is due to the coronavirus pandemic as it has forced businesses to shut down, left people without jobs, forced families to balance work and family life within the same living space, and caused uncertainty among many, it said.
The number of call in June 2019 was 168. In June 2020, it was 339, data shows.
In order to provide assistance and some level of relief to behavioral health facilities and Texans, Texas Health and Human Services continues to run a COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line. The 24/7 free line is a resource for residents to speak with mental health professionals who can help them deal with anxiety, depression, stress, grief and worry, it said.
Mental Health professionals urge people undergoing any level of distress to seek support sooner rather than later. People can call the statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line seven days a week at 833-986-1919. The Williamson County MOT can be reached at 512-864-8277.
