Reach Austin is a community space to share, be heard, and find mental health resources near you. No judgment, no barriers.
Anonymous stories shared by people in our community. Every story matters.
"I spent a lot of college feeling like I was floating around aimlessly, watching everyone around me move with a purpose I could not seem to find for myself. I felt disconnected, not just from other people, but from my own direction. I had no idea what I wanted to do, and that uncertainty made me feel like I was falling behind in a way no one else could see. I'm sharing this because feeling lost can be lonely, but it does not mean you are broken or out of time."
"Running used to be something I did almost every week, even when I was busy, because it helped me feel like myself. Then it slowly started fading out. First I skipped one run, then a whole week, then I stopped noticing how long it had been. After a while, seeing my running shoes by the door made me feel guilty, like something that used to help me breathe had quietly disappeared from my life."
"At first, I told myself the stress was just part of having an intense career, so I ignored how anxious and on edge I felt all the time. Even when I was off, my mind stayed at work, replaying mistakes and worrying about what I had missed. After a while, the job was not just taking my time; it was starting to change the way I perceived myself and the world around me."
"I used to drive around at night for no real reason. I would tell myself I just needed to clear my head, but really I did not want to sit alone in my room. Sometimes I would pass people laughing outside restaurants or walking with their friends and feel weirdly far away from everyone. When I got home, I would sit in the car for a few extra minutes because going inside somehow felt worse."
All submissions are anonymous and reviewed before publishing. Your words could help someone feel less alone.
This is not a crisis service. If you are in danger, please call 988 or 911. Stories are moderated by the Reach Austin team before publishing.
Free, low-cost, and accessible mental health support across Austin, curated and verified.
Free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress. Call or text 988 from anywhere in the US.
Call or text 988 →Austin's primary community mental health authority. Offers psychiatric care, crisis services, and counseling on a sliding-fee scale.
integralcare.org →Free counseling for enrolled UT Austin students. Individual sessions, group therapy, crisis support, and psychiatric services on campus.
cmhc.utexas.edu →Federally qualified health center offering integrated behavioral health and primary care. Sliding-scale fees based on income. Multiple Austin locations.
communitycaretx.org →National Alliance on Mental Illness, Central Texas chapter (formerly NAMI Austin). Free peer-led support groups, education programs, and a helpline for individuals and families. Serves Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, and Caldwell counties.
namicentraltx.org →Travis County's 24-hour helpline. Trained counselors answer immediately and can dispatch a mobile crisis team in person if needed. Available in English and Spanish.
Call (512) 472-HELP →Reduced-cost therapy sessions ($30–$80) with licensed therapists for individuals, couples, and families who can't afford standard rates.
openpathcollective.org →Free peer mental health support at UT Austin. Trained student peers offer confidential, one-on-one conversations for students who need someone to talk to.
healthyhorns.utexas.edu →Free, confidential peer-led support groups for people living with depression or bipolar disorder, plus family and friends. The local chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
dbsaheartoftexas.org →Federally qualified health center with behavioral health services across Central Texas. Psychiatry, therapy, and primary care for all ages. No restrictions on income, residency, or insurance status. Sliding-scale fees based on income.
lonestarcares.org →Affordable and often free counseling for youth and young families in Austin, ages 16–26. Offers individual, group, and peer support, plus psychiatric care for current clients. Sliding-scale and Medicaid accepted.
lifeworksaustin.org →Free 24/7 crisis support via text. No phone call needed. Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor from anywhere in the US.
Text HOME to 741741 →Nonprofit counseling center offering individual, couples, family, and group therapy on a sliding scale ($15–$60). No one turned away for inability to pay.
cacaustin.org →Low-cost counseling with supervised graduate student therapists. $15 per session for individuals, $20 for couples and families. Open to children ages 4 and up. In-person and telehealth available.
stedwards.edu →Nonprofit therapy and training facility offering affordable mental health services for individuals, couples, and families across Austin.
austinfamilyinstitute.org →Expert care for LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS. Offers individual counseling and weekly group therapy for trans and nonbinary folks. Sliding scale available.
waterloocounseling.org →Free 24/7 hotline and individual therapy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serves Spanish speakers, people with disabilities, and Deaf community members.
Call (512) 267-SAFE →Free support groups and low-cost therapy for parents experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, or OCD. Formerly Pregnancy & Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas.
nurturedtx.org →Free individual and group counseling for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12–23, plus adult trans and queer support groups and family support for parents.
outyouth.org →Mental health and substance use recovery services specifically for Austin musicians and music industry workers. Includes counseling, case management, and treatment referrals.
simsfoundation.org →Integrated behavioral health services for Central Texas' uninsured and underserved. Sliding-scale primary care and mental health support in one location.
austinpcc.org →Reach Austin is a community-curated directory. If you know an Austin-area mental health resource that belongs here, let us know.
Free, low-cost, or sliding-scale mental health services serving the Austin area. Peer support groups, nonprofits, training clinics, and specialized care for specific communities are all welcome.
Every submission is reviewed before being added
We verify links, contact info, and services offered
We don't list paid referrals or advertising
If you're in crisis right now, call or text 988
Reach Austin is a community directory, not a licensed clinical or crisis service. Submissions are reviewed but inclusion is not guaranteed. All listed resources are for informational purposes only.