AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin announces a new health and wellness resource that provides short-term counseling and support to Austin workers and families whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Beginning November 20, 2020, residents living in an Austin City Council District can speak with a counselor from Alliance Work Partners through a confidential 24-hour support line at 1-888-855-7483. Services are free and available in English, Spanish, and over 150 other languages. Alliance Work Partners’ counselors are expertly trained to support individuals experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse/dependency, marital and family issues, and more. Counselors also provide resources and referrals for various needs, including childcare, eldercare, legal, and financial support. Alliance Work Partners may offer additional resources and referrals to other providers that could require payment.

“Even if you aren’t sure if you suffer with mental health challenges, I want everyone to seek help to understand what they’re experiencing,” said Stephanie Hayden, Austin Public Health Director. “It’s important that you continue interactions with friends and loved ones and ask them to get help if they need it.”

If a resident is experiencing a mental health crisis, Alliance Work Partners will connect the individual to Integral Care, Travis County’s Local Mental Health Authority, for immediate support through their free 24/7 Crisis Helpline (512-472-HELP/4357).

Low and moderate-income employees and former employees working in customer-facing industries like food and beverage service, retail, hospitality, and personal services (i.e., barbershops, salons, residential cleaning, etc.) are highly encouraged to access these free resources.

“Supporting our community’s mental health and wellness is extremely important in these times of uncertainty,” notes Veronica Briseño, Chief Economic Recovery Officer for the City of Austin. “We strongly encourage Austinites utilize our COVID-19 Mental Health Resources if they need support getting through this challenging time.”

The COVID-19 Health and Wellness Support Line with Alliance Work Partners is funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will close on December 30, 2020 due to CARES Act requirements. For continued assistance, contact Integral Care for immediate support through their free 24/7 Crisis Helpline (512-472-HELP/4357).

Visit www.ATXrecovers.com for more information on COVID-19 recovery resources.