The Counseling Place Seeks Community Support During Giving Event
By Elizabeth Lenart | Contributor
The Counseling Place, which offers accessible counseling and educational resources based on a sliding scale, is reaching out for community assistance during “North Texas Giving Tuesday Now,” running until midnight on May 5. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and emotional fatigue, skyrocketing the demand for mental health services.
Concerns of Increased Mental Health Issues
“The pandemic has altered our lives, and based on what our clinicians are observing, we are preparing for whatever comes next,” remarked Deborah Dobbs, the Executive Director at The Counseling Place for the past decade and part of the organization for 23 years.
From February to March, reports of suicides and assaults referred to The Counseling Place surged threefold, alongside a 30% increase in domestic violence cases.
“Housing instability and confinement are stressing everyone’s coping mechanisms,” Dobbs explained. “Individuals recovering from trauma may find their healing disrupted. Basic needs take precedence, overshadowing healing techniques like mindfulness and grounding exercises, and we’re witnessing significant regression in their recovery progress.”
Rising Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence Concerns
Dobbs highlighted a troubling trend of increased alcohol and drug use during this period, leading to heightened irritability and damaging relationship dynamics. For those in volatile situations, relationships can swiftly escalate into violence. Domestic violence victims have become a significant concern for The Counseling Place. Many of the services provided through phone and video calls are inaccessible to these victims, and there are worries for their safety amidst the ongoing pandemic.
“It’s crucial to recognize the pervasive impact of the virus on mental health,” Dobbs emphasized.
COVID-19 has also intensified parental disputes over child custody, while youths missing milestones like graduations and proms are grappling with anxiety and, in some cases, self-harm practices.
Support for Healthcare Workers and First Responders
The mental well-being of healthcare workers and first responders, who are facing unprecedented challenges and fears of exposing their families to the virus, is of particular concern. The Counseling Place is focusing on providing tailored counseling for these frontline workers. Following the tornadoes in Dallas in 2019, they initiated self-care groups for those working in non-profit organizations.
“After the tornadoes, a proactive leader from The Network of Community Ministries reached out for assistance for their frontline staff, which led to a grant from the Communities Foundation to enhance these services,” Dobbs noted.
Innovative Support Initiatives During COVID-19
In response to the pandemic, The Counseling Place has introduced a “check-in” service for nonprofit workers, law enforcement personnel, and medical staff. Through a simple text message, individuals can arrange a phone call to discuss how they are coping and to decompress before returning home. This service is free and remains confidential.
“It’s vital to support those who help others,” stated Dobbs. “Additional funding allows us to broaden the reach of these initiatives. We need to continually find creative solutions to assist those affected by the pandemic.”
Overwhelming Demand for Services
In 2019, The Counseling Place assisted 555 new clients with individual and family counseling; reached 226 children and teens throughout the DFW area through psychoeducational programs; and provided victim assistance to over 1,600 individuals across the metroplex. The organization is struggling to keep up with the mounting demand for services.
“The lack of affordable mental health options in America is dire, a crisis predating the pandemic,” Dobbs further explained. “It’s devastating to turn away those who have gathered the courage to seek help, especially when combating mental health stigmas.”
According to a 2020 report from Mental Health America (MHA), over 45 million Americans—nearly 20%—were experiencing mental illness before the pandemic. The data revealed that more than 10.3 million adults contemplate suicide—an increase of around 450,000 from the previous year, while 57% of adults with mental illnesses do not receive treatment.
A more recent study by Qualtrics illustrates worsening mental health conditions since COVID-19 began, noting that:
– 67% report heightened stress levels
– 57% feel increased anxiety
– 54% experience greater emotional exhaustion
– 53% report sadness daily
– 50% state they are more irritable
– 42% experience a decline in overall mental health
Anticipating Future Mental Health Crises
“We face a challenging path ahead, expecting a significant rise in clients needing trauma and grief support,” emphasized Dobbs. “Many who experience sadness may develop depression. The need for grieving—especially after suicides and even natural deaths—is profound, especially when traditional mourning rituals are disrupted. Through ‘North Texas Giving Tuesday Now,’ we aim to spotlight this critical unseen crisis that will have enduring consequences long after the pandemic.”
Support The Counseling Place
The Counseling Place invites the community to support their efforts at https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/the-counseling-place until midnight on May 5.
Learn More About The Counseling Place
For additional information, visit https://counselingplace.org/.
The Counseling Place (The CP), founded in 1979 as Richardson, Texas’s first nonprofit mental health service, is committed to improving emotional health for individuals of every age and income bracket throughout Dallas. They offer professional and reasonably priced (or free) counseling services to individuals, families, and couples needing mental health support; community psychoeducational courses; and a victims’ assistance program in partnership with the Richardson and Sachse Police Departments, as well as for crime victims referred by any agency. The CP also collaborates with other non-profit organizations to extend mental health resources to their clients, such as Heart of Autism, to assist affected families. For inquiries, call 469-283-0340 or visit https://counselingplace.org/.
