Mental Health

Sad child on parents lap

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 34% of Texas high school students (Grades 9th - 12th) have depression symptoms, compared to 31% in the United States. Moreover, 34% of students (Grades 9th-12th) in Texas reported that they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities.

One in 3 children ages 6–17 in our eight-county service area has a diagnosed mental health need. This represents an estimated 267,730 school-age children, and the rate in our eight-county service area is higher than state and national rates:¹

31%: 8 county service area, 2021
23%: State of Texas, 2019
23%: U.S., 2019

Nearly 7 in 10 children have a caregiver who is not very familiar with mental health services in the community.¹ Of the 252,000 school-age children who needed mental health treatment or counseling, 45% have a caregiver who experienced difficulty getting this care while 6% were unable to get needed care. Barriers to care included the pandemic, cost of care, inadequate insurance, scheduling conflicts and limited service availability in their areas.¹

Many children and teens experience moments that cause them to feel anxious, depressed or even suicidal. It can be hard to know when to ask for help or where to find support. Click the link below for resources that Cook Children's has identified to assist you and your family.

Click here for more resources

Roadmap for Children's Mental Health

Raising a child who struggles with mental health can be scary, challenging and confusing. The Roadmap for Children's Mental Health is a video series created by the ACEs Task Force to help inform and support caregivers. We hope this will help families navigate this health issue that is becoming more and more common.

Click here to watch the videos.

Coping cards

Each card gives you an activity to try when your feelings get really big or overwhelming. The activity will give your body and your brain a chance to catch up to the feelings and help you know why you feel the way you do.

Cada tarjeta te ofrece una actividad que puedes probar cuando tus sentimientos se vuelven realmente difíciles de manejar o cuando aparecen todos a la vez. La actividad le dará a tu cuerpo y tu cerebro la oportunidad de ponerse al día con los sentimientos y te ayudará a saber por qué te sientes así.

If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911.

To access any of Cook Children's services, contact our Intake Department at (682) 885-3917.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text or chat: 988 | visit 988lifeline.org

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out. People you can talk to might include: mental health provider, school counselor, church or clergy member, physician, or an adult you trust (coach, teacher, neighbor, parent). Link to Mental Health Education.

Get Involved

Wellness Alliance for Total Children's Health Coalition

Wellness Alliance for Total Children's Health Coalition works to increase awareness of and access to mental health services to help families recognize and manage mental health issues.

Coalition information