Texana Center: youth and families
Explore outpatient mental-health services for children and families. Contact Texana about eligibility, appointments and costs.
Youth and family servicesMINNESOTA · ISD 286 · 2026–27 PREVIEW
Brooklyn Center Community Schools
A quick-reference guide for students, parents and caregivers in the district community.
Independent demonstration. Not a district-issued or district-approved resource.
FORT BEND COUNTY · TEXAS · COMMUNITY DEMO
Local support for Fort Bend families.
This community example shows how local links can sit alongside the SafeSteps guides. For school-day concerns, ask your school office how to reach a counselor, social worker or nurse.
Texana Center: accessing care
Find intake instructions and ask about required documents, insurance, eligibility and charges based on ability to pay.
Intake and access instructionsFort Bend County Behavioral Health Services
Explore county programs and contact the department to ask which supports may fit your needs.
County programs and resourcesChildren’s mental-health resources
Find county information for parents and caregivers about children’s mental health.
Fort Bend County · Children’s mental healthOfficial resources checked October 3, 2026. Confirm current services, eligibility and availability with each provider. Independent community demonstration; not issued or endorsed by Fort Bend County or any school or district. Privacy-focused daily visit and link-click totals are enabled; no visitor profiles are created.
CONNECT WITH EXISTING LOCAL SUPPORT
Support for Brooklyn Center families.
For school-day concerns, tell a trusted teacher, counselor, social worker or nurse. Ask the school office how to reach the appropriate staff member. For immediate danger, use the urgent-help options.
District Health Resource Center
Connect with youth health and mental-health services. The district lists free and low-cost services for youth ages 0–19, including insured and uninsured students. Ask about appointments, eligibility and required annual parent/guardian consent.
Call 763-314-8374 · ask for ext. 5107Email the Health Resource CenterOfficial 2026–27 services & instructions
Routine referral contact. Email is not an emergency channel; do not wait for a reply if safety is at risk.
Family Resource Rooms
District Family Resource Rooms help families connect with food, clothing, health insurance, county services and utility assistance. Contact your school’s community schools coordinator to ask what is available.
Find school contacts and current servicesMinnesota mental-health services
Explore state resources for children, youth and adults. Ask providers about the care you need, costs and current access.
Minnesota DHS · Find mental-health supportAdults: Hennepin County Mental Health Center
Explore the county’s mental-health services and contact the provider about eligibility, appointments and costs.
County care and access instructionsOfficial resources checked October 2, 2026. Contacts and availability can change. The district is not affiliated with this independent SafeSteps prototype. Demonstration link only; aggregate daily visit and link-click totals are enabled.
MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY, TOGETHER
You don’t have to
figure it out alone.
Notice changes. Find the words. Bring in an adult.
ONE THING TO REMEMBER
Telling a trusted adult is an act of care.
You’re helping, not getting someone in trouble.
START WHERE YOU ARE
What would help right now?
You don’t need proof to ask for help.If something feels wrong, tell a safe adult—even if you can’t explain it yet.
NOTICE WHAT’S CHANGED
Depression can look different.
It’s more than a rough day. It can affect feelings, energy, sleep, and everyday life. It can get better with support and treatment.
Sad, empty, or easily upset
Feeling down, numb, angry, or irritable more often.
Things stop feeling fun
Pulling away from friends or activities you usually enjoy.
Sleep or energy changes
Sleeping more or less, feeling worn out, or appetite changes.
Everything feels harder
Trouble focusing or keeping up with school and usual routines.
Talk to an adult early.
If changes stick around or make daily life harder, ask a trusted adult to help you connect with a doctor or counselor. You can ask sooner. These signs don’t diagnose depression.
TELL A SAFE ADULT RIGHT AWAY
Some signs need help now.
Suicidal thoughts mean thinking about ending your own life. Tell a safe adult right away.
- Talking or writing about dying, suicide, or not wanting to be here.
- Feeling hopeless, trapped, or like others would be better off without them.
- Hurting themselves, talking about a plan to die, or saying goodbye in a worrying way.
- Giving away important belongings, dangerous behavior, or big new mood changes.
Don’t wait for more signs. Take it seriously, even if it sounds like a joke. You can’t tell someone’s safety from appearances alone.
Learn more: NIMH · Teen depression · Suicide warning signs
YOU CAN USE THESE WORDS
Start the conversation.
SAY IT, TEXT IT, OR SHOW THIS SCREEN
“I haven’t been feeling like myself, and it’s getting hard to deal with. Can you listen and help me get support?”
Who is a safe adult?
A parent or caregiver you feel safe with, teacher, school counselor, nurse, coach, or another reliable adult who takes you seriously.
If home feels unsafe, choose an adult outside home. If the first adult doesn’t help, tell another. Keep asking.
No perfect words needed.
You can say, “I need help, but I don’t know how to explain it.” Ask to talk somewhere private. If speaking is hard, show a note or this screen.
If you’re thinking about suicide, say that directly. Get an adult’s help now.
CARE WITHOUT CARRYING IT ALONE
Be a friend. Bring in an adult.
Listen with care
“I’m glad you told me. I care about you.” Let them talk without judging or arguing.
Tell a safe adult now
If suicide or self-harm comes up, tell an adult right away. Don’t promise to keep safety worries secret—even if your friend asks you to.
Get connected
“Let’s find someone who can help.” If it’s safe, stay nearby while an adult takes over. If you’re apart, contact an adult who can reach them.
Your job is to get help, not fix everything.
Don’t try to handle dangerous items or physically stop someone. Get an adult or emergency help. Their feelings and safety are not your responsibility alone.
MAKE IT SAFE TO SPEAK
Listen first. Take the next step together.
Regular, calm conversations make room for difficult feelings. Start with curiosity, not a lecture.
OPEN THE DOOR
“I’ve noticed you seem more withdrawn lately. How have things been feeling for you?”
Choose a quiet moment. Ask one question at a time. Give them time to answer.
WHEN THEY SHARE
“Thank you for telling me. You’re not in trouble. I’m here, and we’ll get help together.”
Reflect what you heard. Avoid dismissing feelings, blaming, or asking them to “just be positive.”
Ask directly when you’re concerned.
“Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking directly does not put the idea in their head.
If they say yes, or you’re unsure
Stay calm. Listen. Ask whether they’re thinking about suicide right now. Bring in a crisis counselor or qualified clinician promptly; don’t try to judge the risk on your own.
If they say no
Keep listening. A “no” doesn’t erase concerning changes. Arrange a pediatrician or mental health visit when concerns persist, and seek urgent help if safety is in doubt.
TURN CONCERN INTO ACTION
Support includes a safer environment.
Act on immediate danger
If your child may act now, has already harmed themselves, or you cannot keep them safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Stay with them if safe; do not leave them alone while getting help.
Adults secure dangerous items
Safely remove or lock up firearms, medicines, and other potentially dangerous items. Only adults should manage these items. Ask a clinician about safe storage and reducing access.
Build a plan with a professional
Work with a clinician on a personalized safety plan, including warning signs, support people, and urgent-help steps. A promise not to self-harm is not a safety plan.
Keep showing up
Arrange follow-up care and regular check-ins. Ask what feels helpful. Stay connected after an appointment or crisis.
AAP guides: Safer storage · Safety planning
U.S. help options
For crisis support, call 988, text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org/chat/. In immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. This guide does not contact anyone for you.
A SHORT FAMILY CONVERSATION
Teach the next step before it’s needed.
- Name feelings. Ask, “What does a hard day feel like for you?” Explain that depression is a health concern, not a failure.
- Notice changes. Read the warning signs together. Ask, “What would you do if you noticed this in a friend?”
- Name three safe adults. Include someone outside the family. Talk about how to reach each person.
- Practice saying it. Try, “I’m worried about my friend’s safety. I need your help now.”
- Make the rule clear. Safety worries should be shared with a safe adult. Keep asking if the first person doesn’t help.
TRY THE WORDS BEFORE YOU NEED THEM
Small practice. A helpful next step.
These are made-up situations for learning, not a test of anyone’s mental health. Read one together and talk through who could help.
SITUATION 01
Your friend has stopped joining in.
They skip activities they usually love, seem worn out, and have been spending much more time alone.
TALK IT THROUGH
What changed? Which adult could you tell? What words could you use?
Real worry? Skip the practice.
If this sounds like something happening now, tell a safe adult. For suicide or self-harm concerns, get help right away.
YOU DESERVE SUPPORT, TOO
Take care of yourself. Ask for help early.
You can ask for support even when you are still getting through the day. You do not have to explain everything perfectly.
SMALL STEPS COUNT
Choose one thing that feels possible.
Support the basics
Have water and a regular meal. Try gentle movement that fits your abilities.
Make room for rest
Keep a steady sleep routine where possible. Choose a quiet activity such as music, reading or a low-stress hobby.
Reach one person
Contact someone you trust. Ask for listening or practical help with one task.
Reduce the load
Choose what needs doing today and what can wait. Notice how alcohol or caffeine affects your sleep and mood.
Self-care can support recovery.
It is not a substitute for professional care when you need it. Different steps work for different people.
NOTICE THE IMPACT
When daily life starts feeling harder.
Changes worth discussing
- Low mood, hopelessness or loss of interest.
- Changes in sleep, appetite or energy.
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions or finishing usual tasks.
These changes do not diagnose a condition.
Reach out sooner if you need to
Contact a health professional if symptoms worsen, self-care is not helping, or daily responsibilities become difficult. Severe or distressing symptoms lasting two weeks or more are a reason to seek professional help.
Two weeks is not a waiting period. You can ask for help today.
SAFETY CONCERNS NEED HELP NOW
Thoughts of suicide or urges to hurt yourself?
Get immediate support. Tell someone you trust what is happening. In the U.S., contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for yourself or someone you are worried about. In immediate danger or after an injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
SafeSteps does not monitor your safety or contact anyone for you.
USE THESE WORDS
You do not need a perfect explanation.
To someone you trust
“I have been struggling, and I do not want to handle it alone. Could you listen and help me take the next step?”
To a doctor or counselor
“My mood, sleep or concentration has changed, and it is affecting my daily life. I would like help understanding what is happening.”
Before an appointment, note when changes started, how they affect your day, and any medicines you take. Ask what support is available, what it costs and how follow-up works.
START WITH ONE CONTACT
Where adults can find help.
Your primary care clinician
Ask for a mental-health appointment or referral. A clinician can help assess symptoms and connect you with a therapist or other qualified professional.
NIMH · Finding helpFind treatment near you
Use the national treatment locator to search mental-health and substance-use services. Contact providers to confirm appointments, services and costs.
FindTreatment.govIf cost or insurance is a barrier
Ask about sliding-scale fees, financial assistance and community programs. SAMHSA explains options with and without insurance; lower-cost care is not guaranteed at every provider.
SAMHSA · Support and paying for careHarris County: The Harris Center
Adult outpatient services and eligibility assessments are available at community service centers. Ask about eligibility and low- or no-cost options before visiting.
Adult services, locations & access instructionsFort Bend County: Texana Center
Contact the nearest mental-health clinic for current intake days. Adult eligibility includes specified serious mental illnesses. Eligible services are charged according to ability to pay; ask about insurance and required documents.
Eligibility, intake, cost & clinic locationsElsewhere in Texas
Find the local mental-health or behavioral-health authority serving your county. Contact the agency about appropriate programs and access.
Texas HHS · Find your local authorityResources checked October 2, 2026. Contact providers for current eligibility, cost and availability. External sites have their own privacy practices. Online directories are separate from urgent crisis help.
SAFESTEPS ON YOUR PHONE
Keep the guide close.
Checking offline availability…
Offline access covers this guide. Calls and texts need phone service; online chat and source links need internet.
About this guide & sources
SafeSteps is an independent educational prototype for ages 10–17, caregivers and adults seeking support. It is not affiliated with safeTALK, a crisis service, a diagnostic tool, or a substitute for professional care. Content is based on NIMH and American Academy of Pediatrics guidance, with adult-care links from SAMHSA and local public providers; it has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Reviewed against sources October 2, 2026.
The app has no personal-information forms and does not save practice choices or contact details. It saves a copy of this guide and its app assets on your device for offline access; your browser may remove that copy if storage is cleared. It does not monitor safety or notify adults. Hosting services may process standard technical logs. External services have their own privacy practices.
FOR SCHOOLS & DISTRICTS
Want SafeSteps customized for your school?
Give families one place to find mental health guidance, your school’s contacts and local support links. Get a school-specific page, a permanent QR code, and ongoing resource updates.
Packages start at $500 one-time setup, plus $500 annually. Custom branding, employee resource links and usage reporting can be scoped as add-ons.
The guide remains free for students and families.