Best Free Mental Health Resources in San Antonio

Bexar County's public provider of mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability services. It runs outpatient clinics across the county and the 24-hour crisis and substance use helpline at 210-223-7233 (210-223-SAFE) or 1-800-316-9241.

Its enrollment page says no one will be denied services because they cannot pay, and that a sliding fee schedule is available based on family size and income. It also accepts Medicaid and Medicare.

• Routine appointments: 1-833-501-2427.
• Eligibility for ongoing care is set by a screening and clinical assessment.

The local National Alliance on Mental Illness affiliate runs peer-led support groups (NAMI Connection and a Family Support Group) and classes such as Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, Basics and Homefront for military families. The site lists all of its groups and classes as free.

Its Warm Line, (210) 939-9999, is a non-crisis line staffed by trained peers, open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site says plainly that it is not a crisis line.

NAMI Greater San Antonio is at nami-sat.org. A similar-looking address, namisa.org, belongs to NAMI Southern Arizona.

A training clinic where master's and doctoral counseling students see individuals and families under faculty supervision. The center's page says it offers free counseling services to the community. It also offers free counseling for people who have served on jury duty.

• Durango Building, Room 3.304, 501 W. César E. Chávez Blvd.

A university clinic offering individual and family counseling and psychological testing, with bilingual services. Its page says fees are based on household income and size, that it is a Medicaid provider, and that ability to pay will not be an obstacle.

• 590 N. General McMullen, Suite 3.

The page gives two different descriptions of walk-in availability, so call first rather than turning up.

Trauma-informed individual, family and group counseling, including support for PTSD, military families and parenting. Its FAQ says you do not need insurance, and that uninsured clients can see clinicians on a sliding scale fee.

• In-home counseling is available for veteran families with children up to 17.
• The Care Zone program offers no-cost services to students and families in the South San, Harlandale and Edgewood school districts (210-216-0698).

A counseling center at 8310 Ewing Halsell Drive offering counseling for adults, families and children (including play and art therapy), EMDR and support groups. It charges a standard fee, and its fees page says subsidies are available, as appropriate, for people unable to pay, set with your counselor based on income and dependents.

• Its Life After Loss grief support program is free.
• Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with evening and weekend appointments available.

Individual, group, family and child therapy, including EMDR, in person or by Zoom, plus case management. It serves people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds.

We did not find fee or sliding-scale information on its website, so ask about fees and insurance when you call.

A nonprofit mental health treatment center for children and teens, with a 24/7 walk-in crisis service for psychiatric emergencies and a range of ongoing care. Its homepage says it works with families to get treatment regardless of their ability to pay.

• 8535 Tom Slick.

Clarity's homepage notes that its crisis services are undergoing renovation. Call ahead before you go.

The state's free, anonymous information and referral line, run with Texas Health and Human Services. Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 and choose option 5 for mental health and substance use services. It can also point you to help with food, housing and child care.

Free, confidential crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and eight-week support groups for anyone affected by sexual violence, including non-offending partners, family and friends.

• Office and walk-in crisis services Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 4606 Centerview Dr, Suite 240.